US434389A - Electric railway - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

R. M. HUNTER.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY. No. 434,389. Patented Aug. 12,1890.

MI'NE' 5511716! I IKVEHIORJ (No Model.) 2 SheetsSheet 2. R. M. HUNTER.

ELEGTRIG RAILWAY. w v No. 434,389. Patented Aug l2, 1890.

M I FIG 7 gg J I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. IIUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE THOMSONI-IOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 434,389, dated August 12, 1890.

Original application filed April 28, 1886, Serial No. 200,400. Divided and this application filed May 22, 1889. Serial No. 311,659.

(No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, of the city and county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Electric Railways, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to electric railways; and it consists in certain improvements, all of which are fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form part thereof.

This application (Case 98) is a division of my application,No. 200,400, filed April 28, 1886.

In carrying out my invention I have had the following objects in view, viz:

First, to provide a car with a frame secured to the axle or axle-boxes and independent of the car-body, which is supported upon springs, and to which frame the brushes or collectors are suspended, whereby the car-body may move vertically upon an elastic support; but the collector shall remain 011 the same level with the working-conductors.

Second, providing an electric motor or car with electric 1ightsarc or in candescent-arranged in multiple are or series and receiving their current from fixed working-conductors. In the case of incandescent lights they would be arranged in a shunt around the motor. In the case of are lights they may be arranged either in series with the motor or in multiple arc therewith.

Third, providing the motor or car with an electric bell or gong receiving current from the motor-circuit and preferably-arranged in a shunt around the motor, and combined with a circuit-closer and' signal cord, wire, or bar passing through the car, whereby a passenger may signal the driver to stop the car.

Fourth, providing an electric motor or car with a resistance changer or controller to govcm the resistance of the motor-circuit. This resistance-changer may be operated by hand or automatically either by the travel of the car or by the variation in the strength of the current in the motor-circuit. The object is to prevent too strong acurrent traversing the motor and insure a practically uniform speed normally; and by -increasing the resistance the motor may be slowed down. This automatic device is very useful when a series of motors are arranged in multiple are on an electric railway, for if one motor be running I at a much higher velocity than another on the line the counter electro-motive force in the two motors will be different and relatively proportionate to their velocities, and this causes a variation in the resistance, so that the slower-running motor will receive an excess of current if the automatic resistancechanger did not respond and automatically increase the resistance to prevent this evil and accompanying danger to the motor. While acting to control the speed of the motor from variations in the counter electromotive force, the regulator also automatically varies the resistance to suit the position of the motor upon the line-circuit, increasing the resistance of the motor-circuit for variations in the resistance otfered by Working-conductors. By this means the speed of the motor is absolutely and automatically controlled. In conjunction with this I provide a shortcircuiting device, whereby the motor may be cut out of-circuit and an equivalentresistance simultaneously inserted into the motor-circuit; also, I provide means under the control of the operator to cut out the resistances, and also the resistance of the regulator-magnet, putting it preferably in shunt-circuit, whereby a strong impulse of current unretarded by useless resistance may be sent through the motor at starting to give the first impetus to the armature. This regulator is furnished with a dial and pointer or indicator to show at a glance the position of the resistance-changer and the amount of resistance in circuit.

Fifth, providing the motor with a brushholding frame pivoted at one end to the car or a frame supported by the axles or boxes thereof and free to swing laterally at the other end, said frame projecting down through the slot in conduit and supporting and guiding the brushes or collectors. This pivoted frame is also adapted torise up out of the slot in case it should be necessary to lift out the collectors for shifting the car in case of obstruction of the streets by fire. When raised, the

frame is locked clear of the roadway,and the car may be pulled by horses around the obstruction beyond and once more adjusted to working position on the line. This feature of hinging the collectors is also useful in case an obstruction-should accidentally get into the slot, in which case the collectors would be automatically thrown out of the conduit.

Sixth, providing an electric car or motor with collecting brushes or devices which depend from suitable supports on the car and project obliquely from said support through the slot and press upon the respective working-conductors contained therein. These collectors are made of springmetal, and are made Vertically adjustable upon said holder or support and insulated from the support and the conduit.

Seventh, providing an electric motor or car with a cleaning device adapted to sweep the Walls of the conduit, and thereby keep the working-conductors clean and free from all dirt and accumulations which might shortcircuit the current. This cleaning device is preferably formed of two brushes insulated from each other and hinged to a flat shank or frame depending through the slot and suspended from the motor or car by a universal joint, whereby it follows the variations in the slot. The brushes are pressed against the side walls by springs, and are capable of closing up when it is desired or necessary to draw it from the conduit. The raising of the collector-frame also lifts the brush-shank. The brush is pivoted to a plate by a traverse axis, and the plate is connected to the carby a parallel link-connection. The brushshank is also supported from the car or the motor-frame by a chain to limit the depth of the brushes in the conduit, and the slight vertical movement with the continuous longitudinal movement will insure a perfect cleansing of the conduit-walls and conductors. If the brush should-not be sufficiently raised by the rising collector-frame, the obstruction would strike the curved shoe on the brush and eject itfrom the slot, as desired.

The foregoing is a brief enumeration of some of the mostimportant features involved in carrying out my invention, and I will now refer to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation through a car and conduit on line 00 cc embo ying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of same with the car-body removed. Fig. 3 is a side elevation showing the connection of the headlight when arranged in series with the motor fieldmagnets. Fig. 4c is a similar view showing one arrangement of variable resistance carried by the car and arranged either in multiple are or series connection with the motor.

Fig. 5 shows the arrangement of the resistancechanger when made like a rheostat and oper ated by clock-work or other motive powerand controlled by an electro-magnet affected by the current in the motor-circuit. Fig. 6 illustrates a modified way of operating the resistance-changer from the axle of the car to be used in place of the belt shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is an elevation showing one desirable arrangement of automatic resistance-changer. Fig. 8 is a perspective View of the cleaningbrush removed from the motor and slot. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the electric circuits on the car or vehicle, both for lighting, signaling, and propelling.

A and B are two working-conductors, which supply current of opposite polarities. These conductors may be made in any manner desired and suitably supported, preferably within a conduit F of practical construction having the slot f. If desired, at intervals apart the conduit is provided with cleaning-Wells F, having doors F above them and forming part of the conduit, and preferably opening into the slot, Figs. 1 and 2.

G is the car-body and is supported upon springs g, which rest upon the axle boxes II or a frameh, secured to said axle-boxes. The collecting devices and motor are carried upon this frame it and a fixed distance from the conduit and conductors therein, while the car-body is free to vertical movement.

K K are the two motors having a common armature-shaft and carried by the frame 7L. The armature-shaft is provided with a worm K, which gears into a worm-wheel K secured upon the shaft K also carried by the frame 7L, and this shaft K is geared to the axles K by bevel-gears K Pivoted at 2' to the forward part of frame it by a universal joint is the collector-frame I, which is made of bent wrought-iron and has a supporting-bridge J 2 for the collectors. The rear end of the frame I is made curved from i as a center, and is supported at the rear end by the frame h, which frame is also curved from 2' as a center, which two curvatures admit of a vertical and lateral movement to the collector-frame and its collectors J. A small anti-friction wheel 2' reduces the friction of the frame I on the curved part h of the frame h. The forward part I of the frame I is made curved, so that if it strikes an obstruction the frame will be raised out of the conduit, riding over the said obstruction.

M is a spring-catch carried by the frame it and adapted to catch into a hole 1" in the rear part of frame I, to hold said frame in a raised position when thrown fully up, in which position it is clear of the conduit. The car might then be run from one track to another or drawn by horses around an obstructed street. \Vhen once more over the slot of the conduit, the collector-frame and collectorbrushes may be lowered into the conduit, preferably through one of the doors F therein, as it is more easy to withdraw the collectors than to reset them. The upper and rear end of the frame I may be connected to the car-body from a drag-bar m.

J J are the collectors or brushes which project through the slot f of the conduit F and IIO take the current from the bared workingconductors A B. These contact-brushes project into the conduit obliquely and in opposite directions, as shown at the left of Fig. 1, and are insulated from their supports J by insulating material J, which projects down into the slot, and is protected by the frame I from undue wear against the sides of the slot. These brushes 0r collectors are preferably arranged upon each side of the axle K, so that as the frame I rises they shall clear the axle, passing upon each side of it.

N is the motor-circuit connecting the collectors J with the motors, and when two or more motors are coupled together by the caraxles or operating upon the same drive-shaft, or to propel the same car, I prefer to divide the current by coupling up the fields of the motors in multiple circuit, reducing the resistance, and this connection in practice increases the efficiency.

O is a variable resistance which may be located in the motor-circuit and controlled either by hand or automatically by the current passing through the motor. As shown in Fig. 1, this resistance is gradually increased or decreased by a traveling contact 0 moved by a rod 0', screw-threaded at o and moved by a revolving nut 0, driven from an axle of the car by bands or gearin Bands are shown in Figs. 1 and 4 and gearing in Fig. 6. These figures show the mechanical connection between the axle 7c of the car and resistance-changing shaft O,in order that the resistance may increase as the train approaches the generating-station. In these constructions the car would have to run backward without turning end for end, that the resistance may be increased as the car approaches the generating-station. In Fig. i this variable-resistance changer is shown in the form of a circle with a revolving contact 0 which may be driven by the same meansthat is to say, by a band from the axle of the car or other revolving part, or by gearing,

The dotted lines in Fig. 4 connecting with the axle indicate a band or chain for revolving the contact-arm 0 In Fig. 4 the resistance-changer lever 0 makes one revolution to put in or out all of the resistances O, and in practice this revolution would take place only with the full travel of the car over the line, in this figure the dotted lines connecting the motor-circuits in series with the motor, while the solid lines indicate how the resistances may be arranged in a shunt around the armature and including the field-magnets. In the former case the current would go from the positive collector through the resistance changer and then through the motor back to the negative collector. I do not limit myself to the particular way shown of coupling up the circuits.

In Fig. 5 the resistance-changer is shown like a well-known rheostat, which may be driven by clock-work O or by belts or gearing, as in the cases before specified. The

gradual increase or decrease in the line-resistance. To make this action automatic for curren t-variations in the motor-circuit, a contact-brush O electrically connected with the motor-circuit, may be operated by a helix Q in a shunt-circuit Q, or, if desired, in tho motor-circuit N, the said brush sweeping over the bare wire 0, wound on one of the cylinders to vary the resistance interposed in the motor-circuit by the clock-work and its magnet. By this means the travel of the armature Q, carrying the contact Q willhave but a small movement. If the clock-Work alone were relied upon to vary the resistance tocompensate for variations. in the line-circuit resistance, it is evident that if from some undue cause the car had to stop for a long period the regulator would not accomplish its object. For this reasonI providethe magnet Q whose function it is to stop the clock when the resistance inserted or removed is too much. This device does not allow for slight variations due to extraneous and local causes; and, to compensate for these'local changes, I use the helix and its contact-brush O and make it cutin or out automatically, according to the requirement, a portion of the resisttance controlled by the clock-work and magnet Q Magnet Q is preferably in the mo tor-circuit, and is electrically connected with the lower cylinder of the rheostat, which cylinder is of metal. If desired, the armature Q and its contact maybe moved by the operator whenever it may be desirable to abnormally change the resistance from any cause.

The construction of regulator preferred is shown in Fig. 7 and is very similar to what isshown in Fig. 1, with the exception that the resistances are electrically controlled. In this Fig. 7, N is the bruslrshifting lever for reversing the motor. takes in the resistances O, the number of which are varied by moving the contact 0 by the helix Q through the agency of its armature Q. As shown, helix Q is in the motor-circuit, but it might be in a shunt-circuit, as in case of Fig. 5. The armature Q is connected to an indicator-hand, which moves over a dial and forms an indicator q, to-show any variation in the current and also the amount of resistance in circuit. A small contactblock-n is arranged in the path of the contact 0 whereby by pushing the contact 0 to said block by hand the resistances O, as well as that of the helix Q, maybe cut out of the motor, If it is pushed still farther, as

indicated in dotted lines, the motor is cutout by a contact-block p, and a resistance P may be cut in circuit in place of the motor, to prevent abnormal changes in the resistance of the line-current. These two extreme positions may be seen red bya lever Q and rod Q The motor-circuit N IIO I do not confine myself toanyparticular way of interposing these resistances or in their manner of construction, as they may be varied in many ways.

The car is provided with electric lights E either small are or incandescent, the latterbeing preferred, and these are connected in multiple are by wires c and conductors R, connected with the motor-circuit and preferably shunted around the motor. euits 6 may have switches to cut out each lamp. The circuit R may include the headlight E, which maybe either of the are, large incandescent type, or a group of small incandescent lamps.' If the switch r is closed, the head-light circuit will be closed and thelight continuous. Referring to Fig. 9, it will be observed that when the circuits are as shown, the head-lightE alone will burn, and its light will be continuous. If, now, switch be turned to break circuit R and include the circuit R and its interrupter-switch R the head-light will be a flash-light. If the switch '1' be closedfas before, and the switch 4' turned to include circuit E then the incandescent lamps Eiwill be arranged in multiple arc with eachother and in series with the are or head light E. If it is desired to burn the lamps E alone, the switch 0' is opened and switch 0" closed in the circuit r connecting the conductor E with circuit R of one of the collectors. If, now, the switch rbe closed to circuit, the head-light will be in multiplearc connection with the incandescent lamps, and if the switchis turned to circuit R then the head-light will flash and the incandescent lamps burn continuously.

To accomplish the flashing of the head light, I provide the circuit R with a circuitbreaker R which preferably closes by a spring action, and is opened by a pin k on the car wheel or axle or other moving part of the vehicle. As said pin moves around,it opens the circuit R, extinguishing the lamp, and as said pin passes the switch closes and reestablishes the circuit. In place of putting the light in a derived or shunt circuit around the motor it may include the fieldmagnets of the motor, as shown in Fig. 3, and a switch 7'' may be used to cut out the lamp without cutting out the field-magnets.

I do not limit myself to any arrangement of the lamps on the car or to their particular circuits, and in place of taking the current from the motor-circuit they may receive current fromseparate collectors, the essential feature of the invention being the lighting of an electric motor or car by electric lamps receiving electricity from a common source with the motor.

L is a brush carried by the car and adapted to sweep the walls of the conduit and the conductors contained therein. As shown, it consists of a flat shank or frame L, to which the two pivoted brushes Zare secured. These brushes are turned by a spring Z, so as to be forced out laterally on opposite sides into contact with the side walls of the conduit to These cirtion it will be seen that normally the brush is free to move laterally to suit variationsin the slot, and should the frame I be thrown up by an obstruction the link I will drag the shank of the brush forward and upward, turning it upon its transverse axis. If itdoes not rise sufficiently high to clear the obstruction, it will be raised still higher by the rearwardly-extending shoe L (see Fig. 8) riding over the obstruction, and the spring-arms L and chain Z will give to all of this movement.

hen it is desired to transfer the car, the frame I is fully raised and locked, the chain Z unconnected, and the brush turned up forward and secured clear of the road-bed.

F are the draining and cleaning wells, into which any dirt and water from the conduit may run or be swept.

' In this application I do not claim, broadly, the application of the brush or broom to clean an electric-railway conduit and propelled by the electric motor, as that forms subject-matter of an application of mine filed March 18, 1886, and serially numbered 195,742.

S is a signal electric bell or gong to enable a passenger or conductor to notify the driver or operator to stop the car, and receives its current from a shunt-circuit 8 around the motor or from the motor-circuit. A switch 5 may be used to cut the signal out of circuit. Normally the bell is out of circuit, but by pulling upon a bell-rope S, running through the car, the switch 3 may be closed to signal the operator to stop the car. The novelty in this arrangement consists in that the current to operate the bell is received from the motor-circuit or the stationary conductors in the conduit.

Broadly considered with reference to the lighting, signaling, and motor circuits, it is immaterial to my invention what the source of electric energy may be, as it may be carried by or with the car or received from line conductors, as desired.

The particular construction and arrangement of the electric conductors along the railway are immaterial to my invention, as they may be arranged as desired.

I claim- 1. The combination of a car-truck with a frame supported by the axles, two or more electric motors supported upon the said frame, a shaft common to the armatures of said motors, and connecting devices between the armature-shaft and axles of the car, whereby the rotation of the armature-shaft may propel the car, a slotted conduit containing working-conductors, and current-collecting devices supported by said frame and working in contact with said conductors.

2. The combination of a car-truck with a frame supported by the axles, two or more electric motors supported upon said frame, a shaft common to the armatures of said motors, and connecting devices between the armature-shaft and axles of the car, whereby the rotation of the armature-shaft may propel the car, working-conductors arranged parallel to the rails of the cartrack, collectors carried by the car-truck to receive electric current from the working-conductors,

and connecting motor-circuits connecting the motors in multiple arc with the collectors.

3. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors within said conduit, a motor-car, a frame hinged to the car on a vertical axis at one end and having the other end free for lateral movement, and collectors depending from said frame at its free end and extending through the slot and in contact with the conductors.

4. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors within said conduit, a motor-car, a frame hinged to the car on a universal joint at one end and having the other end free for lateral movement, and collectors depending from said frame at its free end and extending through the slot and in contact with the conductors, whereby said frame and collectors may be moved laterally to follow inequalities in the line-slot and rise to pass over obstructions.

5. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors within said conduit, a motor-car, a frame hinged to the car on a universal joint at one end and having the other free for lateral movement, collectors depending from said frame at its free end and extending through the slot and in contact with the conductors, whereby said frame and collectors may be moved laterally to follow inequalities in the line-slot and rise to pass over obstructions, and a lock to lock said collectorframe in its raised position.

6. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors within said conduit, a motor or car, a frame hinged to said motor or car on atransverse axis, collectors to enter the slot and receive electricity from the working conductors, and a lock or catch to support said frame and its collectors when raised clear of the conduit.

7. The combination of a car or motor, a frame pivoted to the car or'motor near one axle and having its other end free to swing laterally under the other axle, two collectors carried upon said frame at its free end and arranged upon each side of and close to the axle, and working-conductors over which the collectors travel in electrical contact.

8. The combination of a car or motor, a

said frame at its free end and arranged upon each side of and close to the axle, a slotted conduit, and working-conductors over which the collectors travel in electrical contact.

9. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors within said conduit, a motor or car, a frame hinged to said motor or car on a transverse axis, collectors to enter the slot and receive electricity from the workingconductors, a stop to limit the downward movement of the frame upon the motor,and a lock or catch to support said frame and its collectors when raised clear of the conduit.

10. The combination of a slotted conduit, electrical conductors therein, a car or motoradapted to travel over the conduit, and flatten ed collectors carried by the motor and proj ecting obliquely through the slot of the conduit to touch their respective conductors.

11. The combination of a slotted conduit, electrical conductors therein, a car or motor adapted to travel over the conduit, and flattened collectors carried by the motor and pro jecting obliquely through the slot of the conduit to touch their respective conductors, a slotted holder or frame for said collectors, and means to adjust the collectors upon said holder.

12. The combination of motor-truck, frame h, supported upon the axles thereof and having a guide at or near one end, a collectorframe I, universally hinged att' to the frame h and supported upon the guide thereof, and suitable collectors carried by said frame and extending down into the conduit, with the slotted conduit and its working-conductors.

13. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors located therein, a car or motor adapted to travel over said conduit, collectors suspended from said car and pro jecting through the slot into the conduit, and a protecting or shielding guard or frame carried by the car or motor and projecting down through the slot and under the collectors.

let. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors arranged upon its sides, an electric motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a fiat shank extending from the motor through the slot and into the conduit, and" hinged brushes carried by said shank adapted to sweep the conductors and walls of the conduit.

15. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors arranged upon or near its sides, an electric motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a flat shank extending from the motor through the slot and into the cond uit, hinged brushes carried by saidshank adapted to sweep the conductors and walls of the conduit, and spring devices to cause said brushes to press outward away from the shank and follow any irregularities in the conduit or conductors.

16. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors arranged upon its sides, an electric motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a flat shank extending from the motor through the slot and into the conduit, hinged brushes carried by said shank and having their axes extended above the slot and adapted to sweep the conductors and walls of the conduit, and spring devices arranged above the conduitto cause said brushes to press outward away from the shank and follow any irregularities in the conduit or conductors.

17. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors arranged therein, an electric motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a metallic shank extending from the motor down through the slot and into the conduit, and collapsible brushes secured to said shank, whereby in drawing said shank out of the slot the brushes close up to pass the slot.

18. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors arranged therein, an electric motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a metallic shank extending from the motor down through the slot and into the conduit, collapsible brushes secured to said shank, whereby in drawing said shank out of the slot the brushes close up to pass the slot, and a flexible connection between said bruslrshank and motor to admit of its rising.

19. The combination of a slotted conduit, working-conductors arranged therein, an electric motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a metallic shank extending from the motor down through the slot and into the conduit and provided with a curved shoe below the brushes to ride over an obstruction, collapsible brushes secured to said shank, whereby in drawing said shank out of the slot the brushes close up to pass the slot, and a flexible connection between said brush-shank and motor to admit of its rising.

20. A slotted conduit and working-conductors therein, in combination with an electric motor traveling over said conduit, a brush device adapted to extend through the slot and into the conduit and provided with a flat shank, a transverse hinged connection between said brush-shank and motor, and a parallel link-connection between said hinged connection and motor, whereby the brush may follow allvariations in the line of the slot and be capable of being turned up out of the slot when shifting the car or motor.

21. A slotted conduit and working conductors therein,in combination with an electric motor traveling over said conduit, a brush device adapted to extend through the slot and into the conduit and provided with a fiat shank terminating at the bottom in a shoe, a transverse hinged connection between said brush, shank, and motor, and a flexible parallel link-connection between said hinged connection and motor, whereby the brush may follow all variations in the line of the slot and be capable of being turned up out of the slot when shifting the car or motor, or rise. when it meets an obstruction.

22. The combination of the slotted conduit containing working-conductors, a motortruck, a brush-shank L, extending down into the conduit and hinged to a transverse frame L, and parallel links L connecting the motor-truck with said transverse frame.

23. The combination of the slotted conduit containing working-conductors,a motortruck, a collector-frame carried by the truck and extending down into the conduit, a brushshank L, extending down into the conduit and hinged to a transverse frame L, having an arm Z chain Z for supporting said frame and allowing of its vertical movement, parallel links L connecting the motor-truck with said transverse frame, and links L connecting the brush-shank to the collectorframe.

24. The combination of a slotted conduit, Working-conductors therein, a motor adapted to travel over said conduit, a collector-frame depending from said motor into the conduit and capable of vertical movement, and a hinged brush suspended from the motor and projecting into the conduit and connected to the collectorfranie, whereby when the collector-frame rises to pass an obstruction the brush rises also.

25. In an electric railway, the combination of an electric conductor arranged along the railway, an electrically-propelled vehicle provided with an electric motor adapted to rotate its axle, a current-collecting device carried with the vehicle for making an electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the motor, and a resistance-changer arranged in the motor-circuit for controlling the current passing to the motor.

26. In an electric railway, the combination of an electric conductor arranged along the railway, an electrically-propelled vehicle provided with an electric motor adapted to rotate its axle, a current-collecting device carried with the vehicle for making an electrical connection between the electrical conductor and the motor,a resistance-changer arranged in the motor-circuit for controlling the current passing to the motor, and means for cutting the motor out of circuit.

27. The combination of a railway, an electrically-propelled vehicle, a source of electrical energy, line-conductors extending along the railway, movable electric circuits between the line-conductors and the electric motor on the vehicle, and a current-regulating device carried by the vehicle for controlling the current passing to the motor.

28. The combination of the working-conductors .of an electric railway, a traveling electric motor receiving electricity therefrom a resistance-changer arranged in the motorcircuit, mechanism, substantially as described, to gradually vary said resistance in the motor-circuit, an electrically-actuated stop to control said gradual resistance-changing mechanism, and automatic devices controlled by the strength of current in said motor-circuit to increase or decrease said resistance to compensate the abnormal disturbances in the current passing over the motorcircuit.

29. The combination of the working-conductors of an electric railway, a traveling electric motor receivin g electricity therefrom, a resistance-changer arranged in the motorcircuit, mechanism, substantially as described, to gradually vary said resistance in the motor-circuit, an electrically-actuated stop to control said gradual resistance-changing mechanism and adapted to be actuated only upon a decrease of the -motor-current below the normal working-current in the m0- tor-circuit, and automatic devices controlled by the strength of current in said motor-circuit to increase or decrease said resistance to compensate for abnormal disturbances in the current passing over the motor-circuit.

30. In an electric railway, the combination of an electric conductor arranged along the railway, an electrically-propelled vehicle, an electric motor to propel the vehicle, a circuit carried by the car for supplying current'to the motor, an electric-light circuitin parallel with the motor and carried bythe car, an electric lamp in said lighting-circuit, means for controlling the current going through the motor and lamp independently of each other, and a current-collecting device having its weight wholly supported by the Vehicle and making a traveling contact with the electrical conductor.

31. In an electric railway, the combination of the working-00nductors, a car or motor I adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by said car, a circuit, including an electric lamp, in connection with said collectors, and a circuitbreaker adapted to break said circuit to flash the electric light of the lamp.

32. In an electric railway, the combination of the working-conductors, a car or motor adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by said car and in contact with said conductors, an electric lamp on said car, a circuit,including an electric lamp, in connection with said collectors, and a circuit breaker controlled by the travel of the ear adapted to break said circuit to flash the electric light.

33. In an electric railway, the combination of the working-conductors, a car or motor adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by said car in contact with said conductors, an electric lamp on said car, a circuit, including said lamp, in connection with said collectors, a circuit-breaker adapted to break said circuit to flash the electric light, and a switch to permanen tl y break said circuit to extinguish the light.

34:- In an electric railway, the combination of the working-conductors, a car or motor adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by said car in contact with said conductors, an electric lamp on said car, a circuit, including said lamp, in connection with said collect0rs,a circuit-breaker adapted to break said circuit to flash the electric light, and switch mechanism to cut out the circuit-breakerand close a permanent circuit to make the light continuous.

35. The combination of the working-conductors arranged parallel with the track, a stationary source of electric supply for said conductors, a car or motor adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by the car to receive electricity from said working-conductors, an-

electric head-light, a series-circuit including said head-light and connecting with said collectors, incandescent lamps for lighting the car, and a circuit including said incandescent lamps in multiple arc and connecting with said collectors.

36. The combination of the working-conductors arranged parallel with the track, a stationary source of electric supply for said conductors, a car or motor adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by the car to receive electricity from said working-conductors, an electric head-light, a series-circuit including said IOC head-light and connecting with said collectors,

' a circuit interrupter or breaker for flashing said head-light, incandescent lamps for lighting the car,and a multiple-arc circuit including said incandescent lamps and connecting with said collectors.

37. The combination of the working conductors arranged parallel with the track, a stationary source of electric supply for'said conductors, a car or motor adapted to travel longitudinally with respect to said conductors, collectors carried by the car to receive electricity from said working-conductors, an electric head-light, a series-circuit including said head-light and connecting with said collectors, incandescent lamps for lighting the car, a multiple-arc circuit including said incandescent lamps and connecting with said collectors, and switches for cutting out either the head-light or the incandescent lamps or both.

38. The combination of a railway, an electrical conductor arranged along the railway and receiving current from a fixed source of supply, an electrically-propelled vehicle, an

electric motor carried by said vehicle and mechanically connected with its axle, a motorcircuit including the motor carried by the vehicle, an electric-light circuit including an electric lamp also carried by the vehicle, and a on rrent-collecting device hinged to and havits weight wholly sustained by the electric ally-propelled vehicle and making a trave1- ing contact with the electrical conductor and adapted to supply electricity to the motor and electric-light circuits.

39. The combination of a railway, an electrical conductor arranged along the railway and receiving current from a fixed source of supply, an electrically-propelled vehicle, an electric motor carried by said vehicle and mechanically connected with its axle, a motorcircuit including themotor carried by the vehicle, an electric-light circuit including an electric lamp also carried by the Vehicle, a current-collecting device hinged to and having its weight wholly sustained by the electrieally-propelled vehicle and makinga traveling contact with the electrical conductor, and adapted to supply electricity to the motor and electric-light circuits, and independent current-controlling devices for the motor circuit and electric-light circuit.

40. In an electric railway, bared workingconductors, in combination with an electric motor or car, a frame carried by the car and suspended from the axles and free to move vertically or laterally, and collectors carried by said frame and adapted to run in contact With said conductors.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER.

WVitnesses:

ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER, S. T. YERKES.

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