Improvements in or connected with Electrio Railways or Electric Transport.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Oct., 1895
"omplete Specification Left, 6th July, 1896-Accepted, 10th Sept., 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION
Improvements in or connected with Electrio Railways or Electric
Transport.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M. Inst. E.E., M.1. Mech. E, of Norfolk House,
Norfolk Street, Strand, London, W.C. in the County of Middlesex, Chaitered
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (as communicated
to ine from abroad by Fiederick Carleton Esmond, of Brooklyn, in the State
of New York, United States of America, Electrical Engineer) to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to that class of electic always in which the contact
plates of working conductor through which curent is transmitted to the motor
upon the moving vehicle are normally out of encuit, only those contacts or that
part of the working conductor from which the motor is at the time receiving
current being connected with the source of power, and the object of my improve-
ments is to provide a simple and efficient apparatus for closing the circuit from time
to time from the main conductor or feeder to the requied contact plates or section
of the working conductor.
To this end provide a magnetic circuit closing apparatus, which is when in
position for use, enclosed within a hollow case or receptacle. This case 18 divided
into two parts by a diaphragm of insulating material. On one side of the
diaphragm is located a helix composed of two coils of wire, the one a fine wire coil
of relatively high resistance and the other a coil of coarse wire of low resistance.
The fine wire coil is permanently connected in encuit, one terminal being convected
with a feeder o main conductor leading from a dynamo which supplies current for
actuating the motor upon the moving vehicle, and the other terminal being
grounded. One terminal of the coarse wire coil 18 connected with the exposed
contact plate or working conductor through which current is transmitted to the
motor upon the moving vehicle while the other terminal is arranged to be connected,
through movable contacts located on the other side of the insulating diaphragm,
with the feeder or main, so that when the contacts are closed this coil is in sories
between the feeder or main and the motor. The helix is provided with a movable
core which carries contact pieces by which the circuit through the coarse wire coil
of the helix 18 closed. The core 18 lifted to close the cucut by means of a magnet
or magnets carried upon the moving vehicle, the lifting action of the magnets being
facilitated by the piesence of a head of soft iron placed over the helix and
surrounding the core.
The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying
drawings in which
Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the switch box with parts in position, and
Fig. 2 is a diagram of the distributing system.
Referring to the diawings, A indicates the base or lower part of the hollow
receptacle in which the magnetic circuit closing devices are contained. The
base A 19 constructed of insulating material, such as compressed mica, and in the
lower part of it is embedded a piece of conducting material D which extends
inward to the hollow part of the case and is connected with the terminal T of a
feeder or main conductor leading from a dynamo. In the lower part of the cage
18 a fiamenork I of conducting material which is screwed to, or, otherwise brought

page_text: into close electrical contact with the conductor D. Upon the frame I is carried a
ring 11 of conducting material upon which in turn rests a second ing I also of
coudneting material. From the ring 1 projects an arm cariying a comb shaped
contact. Above the ring I is located a diaphragm J of suitable insulating
material, such as compressed mica, which divides the case into two parts and also
selves 08 a support for the magnetic devices located above it. To the
under side of the diaphragm J is secured a second comb shaped contact piece
located diametrically opposite to the contact piece i Above the diaphragm J 19
a helix composed of a coil L of high resistance and a second coil M of low
resistance wound upon a spool N One terminal of the coil L is connected with a
ng of conducting material which is in turn electrically connected with the arin
by means of the scren /' The other terminal of the coil L is grounded in any
convenient manner, as by the conductor which extends downward through the
base A. and connected with the metallic band B by means of a bich the base A 13
screwed to its foundation. One terminal of the coil M 18 electrically connected
with the top of the case, E, which may be, as shown in the drawing, an isolated
contact plate or dome, or may form part of or be connected with a section of a
working conductor. The other terminal of the coil M is connected with a ring m
of conducting material which is connected by means of a screw m' with the contact
piece
With the helix is a movable core K of magnetic material, to which is
attached a non-conducting rod O extending downward through the diaphagin J
and carrying an anim P of conducting material upon which are knife blade contact
pieces p, p, adapted to make contact, when the core K 18 raised, with the
contacts, The comb shaped contacts, are double, the kuife blade contacts
passing up between and making contact with the teeth of the combs. In this way
hile an extended contact suface is secured, the danger of sparking is reduced to
a minimum. The 1od O 18 so shaped or guided, as by making it and the onfice m
the diaphragm through which it passes, eccentric or angular, that the contacts pp¹
are always in alignment with the contacts 2.
17
1
The operation of the device is as follows. Upon the approach of a car carrying
a suitable magnet, or magnets, then ore I will be raised, the lifting action of the
magnets being assisted by the presence of the soft on head R. The contacts p pl
are lifted and bought against the contacts and the cucuit is closed from the
feeder or main to the dome E. The course of the current is from the terminal T,
through the conducting piece D, fame I, angs I', 1' and arm to the contact
theme to the contact and through the contact p, aim P, contacts pland
screw m¹ ring m and coil M to the top E. From the top E the current passes by
means of any usual or suitable form of brush or curent collector carried by the
cal and making contact with the top E, to the motor upon the car, and thence to
ground on to a retun conductor in the usual maunci. As soon as the current
begins to flow through the coil M the core K will be supported through the action
of the cent flowing through the coil M and thus will continue so long as current
continues to flow through the coil. When the current collector upon the ea
passes off from the top E of the case, or from the exposed conductor with which it
may be connected, current will cease to flow through the coil M, and the core K
will fall, separating the contacts p, and p, and breaking the circuit. The
resistance of the coil L is so adjusted that while the current flowing through it 19
not sufficient to cause the core K to be lifted it will partially overcome the nction
of gravity upon the core and thus facilitate the lifting action of the magnet carried
by the cal. At the same time the action of the current in the coil L upon the
core Keduces the mechanical shock which would otherwise be produced by the
fall of the cole.
In Fig. 2 the system of distribution as a whole is illustrated. 1 representa
the main generator, or bank of generators at the power station, having one terminal
connected to the feeder or supply conductor 2, and the other to a return
conductor 3, herein represented as consisting of the track rails, on which run the
wheels 4 of the electrically propelled car or locomotive. The contact points or

page_text: domes E are arranged at proper intervals apart, and a long collector 5, bidges two
Buccessive contact points so as to make contact at all times with at least one such
point. The high resistance magnet coil L is permanently connected between the
feeder 2 and the rails 3 The low resistance coil M 18 connected at oue end with
the contact point, but is normally disconnected from the supply conductor at the
switch, the latter standing in the position shown at the night of the drawing.
A magnet 7, carried by the car, lifts the core K, as shown at the left hand of the
drawing, so as to close the circuit between the supply conductor 2, low resistance
coil M, collector 5, and notor 6. When the core has once been lifted, the flow of
current through the low resistance coil M holds the switch closed until the car
passes, when it automatically returns to the open position by gravity or other
arrangements for the purpose well known in the at The magnet 7, carried by
the car, may be of any suitable type; for illustration it is here shown as an
electromagnet in circuit with the battery 8.
The operation will be readily understood
When the car reaches such a position
that the magnet 7 stands opposite one of the switch boxes, the conesponding
working contact point is made electrically alive, and the circuit is preserved until
the car passes. The right-hand switch is shown open to illustrate better how the
line circuit is broken, though the magnet on the car has just reached the proper
position to close this switch.
Dated this 4th day of October 1895.
JG. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Agent
Improvements in or connected with Electric Railways or Electric
Transport.
1, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, M Inst. E.E., M 1. Mech E., of Norfolk House,
Norfolk Strect, Strand, London, WC, in the County of Middlesex, Chartered
Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention, (as communicated to
me from abroad by Frederick Carleton Esmond, of Brooklyn, in the State of New
York, United States of America, Electrical Engineer) and in what manner tho
same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the
following statement.-
My invention relates to that class of electric railways in which the contact-plates
or working conductor through which curicut is transmitted to the motor upon the
moving vehicle is normally out of circuit, only those contacts on that part of the
working conductor from which the motor is at the time receiving current being
connected with the source of power, and the object of my improvements is to
provide a simple and efficient apparatus for closing the circuit from time to time
from the main conducter or feeder to the required contact-plate or section of the
working conductor.
To this end provide a maguetic en cuit-closing apparatus which is, when in
position for use, inclosed within a hollow case or receptacle This case is divided
into two parts by a diaphragm of insulating material. On one side of the diaphingin
is located a helix composed of two coils of wire, the one a fine wire coil of relatively
high resistance and the other a coil of conise wie of low resistance The hoe-wire
coil is permanently connected in circuit, one terminal being connected with a feeder
o main conductor leading from a dynamo which supphes current for actuating the
motor upon the moving vehicle, and the other terminal being grounded One
torminal of the coarse-wire coil is connected with the exposed contact-plate or
working conductor through which curient is transmitted to the notor upon the
moving vehicle, while the other terminal is arranged to be connected, through

page_text: movable contacts located on the other side of the insulated diaphragm, with the
feeder o main, so that when the contacts are closed this coil 18 in series between
the feeder or main and the motor. The helix is provided with a movable core
which carries contact-pieces by which the cirount through the coarse-wire coil of
the helix is closed. The core is lifted to close the circuit by means of a magnet
or magnets carried upon the moving vehicle, the lifting action of the magnets
being facilitated by the presence of a head of soft non placed over the helix and
surrounding the core
The invention will be best understood by reference to the drawings left with the
Provisional Specification in which-
Figure 1 is a vertical section of the switch box with parts in position, and
Figure 2 is a diagram of the distributing system
Refering to the drawings, A indicates the base or lower put of the hollow
receptacle in which the magnetic circuit-closing devices are contained. The base A
is constructed of insulating material, such a compressed mica, and in the lower part
of it is embedded a piece of conducting material D, which extends inward to the
hollow part of the case and 19 connected with the terminal T of the feeder or main
conductor leading from a dynamo.
In the lower part of the case is a framework I of conducting material, which is
Screwed to or otherwiso bought into close electrical contact with the conductor D.
Upon the frame is carried a ring of conducting material upon which in turn
rests a second ring I³, also of conducting material. From the ring 1 projects an
arm carrying a comb-shaped contact . Above the ring is located n
diaphragm Jo suitable insulating material, such as compressed mica, which
divides the case into two parts and also serves as a support for the magnetic
devices located above it To the under side of the diaphragm J is secured a
second comb-shaped contact-piece located diametrically opposite to the contact-
piece. Above the diaphragm J 18 a helix composed of a coil L of high resistance
and a second coil M of low resistanco wound upon a spool N. One terminal of the
coil L is connected with a uing of conducting material, which is in turn electically
connected with the arm by means of the screw . The other terminal of the
coil L 18 grounded in any convenient manner, as by the conductor c, which extends
downward through the baso A and connected with the metallic band B by means
of which the base A is screwed to its foundation One terminal of the coil M 18
electrically connected with the top of the case E, which may be, as shown in the
drawings, an isolated contact plate or dome, or may form part of or be connected
with a section of a working conductor. The other terminal of the coil M is con-
nected with a ring m of conducting material, which 18 connected by means of a
screw m with the contact piece Within the helix is a movable core 'K of
magnetic material, to which is attached a nou-conducting-rod O extending down-
ward through the diaphragm J and canying an aim P of conducting material upon
which are knife-blade contact-preces pp', adapted to make contact when the core K
18 raised with the contacts The comb-shaped contacts are double, the
knife-blade contacts passing up between and making contact with the teeth of the
conibs In this way wlule an extended contact sui face is secured, the danger of
sparking is reduced to a minimum. The rod is bo shaped on guided, as by
making it and the orifice in the diaphragm J through which it passes eccentric or
angular, that the contacts ppl are always in alignmont with the contacts ¿' i².
The operation of the device is as follows. Upon the approach of a car carrying
a suitable magnet or magnets, the core K will be raised, the lifting action of the
magnets being assisted by the presence of the soft-iron head R. The contacts p pl
are lifted aud brought against the contacts, and the circuit is closed from the
feeder or main to the dome E The course of the current is from the terminal T,
through the conducting-piece D, frame I, ings I'I' and aun to the contact,
thence to the contact p and through the contact p, aun P, contacts pl audi
screw m; ring m and coil M to the top E. From the top E the current passes by
means of any usual or suitable form of brush or current-collector carried by the

page_text: car and making contact with the top E to the motor upon the car, and thence to
gionnd or to a return conductor in the usual manuer. As soon as current begins
to flow through the coil M the coil K will be supported through the action of the
curent flowing through the coil M, and thus will continue so long as curent
continues to flow through the coil. When the current-collector upon the car passes
off from the top of the case, or from the exposed conductor with which it may
be connected, current will cease to flow through the coil M and the core K will fall
The resistance of
separating the contacts p and p₁ and breaking the encuit
the coil is so adjusted that while the current flowing through it is not sufficient
to cause the core K to be lifted it will partially overcome the action of gravity
upon the core and thus facilitate the lifting action of the inagnet carried by the
At the same time the action of the cutient in the coil L upon the coro K
reduces the mechanical shock which would otherwise be produced by the fall of
the core.
cat.
"
In Figure 2 the system of distribution as a whole is illustrated. 1 represents
the main generator or bank of generators at the power-station, having one terminal
connected to the feeder or supply-conductor 2, and the other to a return-conductor 3,
herein represented as consisting of the track-inile, on which run the wheels 1 of the
electrically-propelled ca or locomotive. The contact points on domes E are
ananged at proper intervals apart, and a long collector 5 budges two successive
contact-points so as to make contact at all times with at least one such point. The
high-resistance-maguet coil L is permanently connected between the feeder 2 and
the rails 3. The low-resistance coil M is connected at one end with the contact-
point, but is normally disconnected from the supply-conductor at the switch, the
latter standing in the position shown at the right of the drawings A magnet 7,
carried by the cai, lifts the core K, as shown at the left hand of the drawings, 60
as to close the cinct between the supply-conductor 2, low-resistance coil M,
collector 5, and motor 6 When the core las once been lifted, the flow of current
through the low-i csistance coil M holds the switch closed until the car passes,
when it automatically returns to the open position by gravity or other arrange-
meuts for the purpose well known in the att. The magnet 7, carried by the car,
may be of any suitable type. For illustration it is here shown as an electio-magnet
in circuit with the battery 8.
The opciation will be readily understood When the car reaches such a position
that the magnet 7 stands opposite one of the switch-boxes, the corresponding
working contact-point is made electrically alive and the circuit is preserved until
the car passes. The ught-hand switch is shown open to illustrate better how the
hine-circuit is bioken, though the magnet on the car has just reached the proper
position to close this switch.
The advantages of my invention will be readily apparent to those skilled in the
art, since it provides a simple efficient and dunable means of closing the circuit
aud enables exposed contacts to be used in the propulsion of cars on electrical
street-railways with perfect safety, since the exposed contact is at all times out of
en cunt, except when protected by the passing car.
I am aware that it has previously been proposed to use a helix compusing coils
of high and low resistance in a circuit-closing device for electric railways, and I
do not broadly claim such as a part of my invention
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim 18-
1 In an electric-railway system, the combination with an insulated supply-
conductor and an exposed conductor of a cucunt-closing device comprising a low-
resistance coil located in series between such conductors and normally out of
circuit, a coil of high resistance in a permanently-closed circuit independent of the
moto-circuit, a movable core located within said coils and contact-pieces carued

page_text: by said core and adapted to close the circuit through said lon-resistance coil,
substantially as and for the purposes set forth
2 In an electric-railway system the combination with an insulated supply-
conductor and an exposed conductor of a cucuit-closing device comprising a helix
having two coils the one of high resistanco in a permanently closed encmt
independent of the motor-circuit, and the other of low resistance normally out of
circuit, a movable core within such helix, a head of magnetic material in inductive
relation to such core, and means carried by the core for closing the circuit through
such low-resistance coil, substantially ns and for the purposes set forth.
3. The combination of a hollow case having a base of insulating material a ring
of conducting material upon the outside of the base, a magnetic-cncuit-closing
device within such case having a helix-coil in a permanently-closed circuit, including
an electrical connection between one terminal of such coil and said ring, substantially
as and for the purposes set forth.
4 The combination in an electric railway of a feeder or supply-conductor, a
working contact-point or section normally out of circuit with the feeder, n switch-
box comprising a low-resistance-magnet coil adapted to be included in the motor-
circuit, a switch normally standing in the position opening the magnet-circuit, and
a magnet on the car for normally closing the switches successively so as to connect
the switch-magnets and corresponding contact-points in circuit with the supply-
conductor and car-motor, cach magnet forming part of an independent circuit
between the supply-conductor and one of the working sections, and receiving
current only through the corresponding switch after the latter has been closed by
the magnet on the car, as set forth.
6. The combination in an electric railway of a feeder or supply-conductor, a
working-contact-point or section, a switch box divided into closed compartiments
by a diaphragm of insulating material, circuit-closing contacts on one side of the
diaphragm, an electromagnet for holding the contacts closed on the other side of
the diapluagin, and a magnet on the car for primarily closing the said contacts,
and connecting the working contact-point with the supply-conductor.
6. The combination in an electric ailway of a feeder or supply-conductor a
working contact-point or section, a switch-box, a switch in said box adapted to open
the encuit between the contact-point and the supply-conductor, and arranged, so
as to automatically return to the open position after being closed, a magnet ou the
car for closing said switch, and a low-resistance-magnet coil in the switch-box which
18 included in the motoi-circuit when tho switch is closed and holds the switch
closed until the car passes the contact-point, each magnet forming part of au
Independent circuit between the supply-conductor and one of the working sections,
and receiving current only through the corresponding switch after the latter has
been closed by the magnet on the car, as set forth.
7. The combination in au electric railway of a feeder or supply-conductor, a
working contact or section, a switch for connecting the supply-conductor and
working section in circuit, a magnet on the car for primarily closing said switch,
and a magnet having a low-resistance coil included in the motor-circuit when the
switch is closed, the switch being arranged so as to open automatically when
the last-named magnet 18 de-energized, but held closed by the line-current in the
magnet, until the car passes the corresponding working section, each magnet
forming part of an independent circuit between the supply conductor and one of
the working sections, and receiving current ouly through the corresponding switch
after the latter has been closed by the magnet on the car, as set forth.
Dated that do
T1 1000
J. G. LORRAIN,
Chartered Patent Agent.