US832416A

US832416A - Electric railway.

Info

Publication number: US832416A
Application number: US26098805A
Authority: US
Inventors: Leon W Pullen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1905-05-18
Filing date: 1905-05-18
Publication date: 1906-10-02
Anticipated expiration: 1923-10-02

Description

No. 832,416.Nv

PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906.

L. W. PULLEN. ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY18.1905.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

PATENTED OCT. 2, 1906.

L. W. PULLEN. ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

APPLIOATION rxLBD 11m19.190s.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/fl/ fr. 0cm 1 @no nl: NaRRfs PETER; cn.. IIAIRINa'raN. n. c,

PATEII'IED OCT. 2, 1906.

L. W. PULL-EN. 'ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

APPLIGATION FILED MAY 1re, 1905.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 3y LEON W. PULLEN, CF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

ELECTRIC RAILWAY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 2, 190,6.

Application led May 18,1905. Serial No. 260,988.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEON W. PULLEN, of Camden, county of Camden, and State of New Jersey, have invented an Improvement in Electric Railways, of which the following is a specification.

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

The object of my invention is to provide a suitable construction for automatic contacts arranged at intervals along the railwaytrack adapted for use in conjunction with a ycurrent-collecting device carried on the car, such as set out in my Letters Patent No. 791,816 of June 6, 1905,. and in which the circuits Jforming a supply-conductor are automatically closed successively under magnetic attraction to energize the contactblocks immediately under the car during its travel.

My invention lconsists of certain details of construction which will be better understood by reference to the drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of part of a railway-track and contact-block embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view. Fig. 3 is `an elevation of my improved contactblock. Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the magnetic and circuit-closing parts of my contactbox removed from the supportingblock. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of the working parts of the improved circuit-closing switch mechanism of the contact-block, showing a modification of same. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a portion of same, and Fig. 7 is a plan view of the upper member of the switch of the structure shown in Figs. 5 and 6, and Figs. 8 and 9 are sectional views of modifications.

A is the cross-tie, which supports the rails B, one only of which is shown.

C is -the magnetically-operated contactblock and is supported by the cross-tie. In practice these contact-blocks are arranged at intervals along the track, so as to have one or more of them at all times under the car, as set out in my Letters Patent referred to above. More specifically, these contact-*blocks are constructed as follows: A stone or concrete block H is formed with a central recess comprising the apertures H H2 H3, gradually decreasing in area and connected, respectively, by shoulders H4 and H5. The lower outer sides of the block H are notched, as at h, into which retaining-irons I extend and by which the said blocks are clamped .down upon the timber F,'resting upon the cross-tie. These retaining-irons are secured to the timber F by screws or otherwise, and said timber is held down upon the cross-tie by screws ,or nails. Fitting into the upper part of the stone or concrete block is the upper part of the switch and contact, and this consists of the central contact-bar K, having the upwardly-extending head and formed of manganese steel, which is non-magnetic and very durable; the two side platesJ J of magnetic metal, such as wrought or cast iron; the brass plate L, having the downwardlyextending fingers l; the magnetic segmental plates M M secured to the under side of the plate L; the perforated brass plate N, having apertures n and secured to and extending between the plates M M the movable contact-cups O, loosely fitting the apertures, and conducting-springs P, surrounding the fingers and pressing downward upon the contactcups. The parts J, K, J', and L form a square or rectangle in plan, and the parts M N M form a circle in the preferred form. The plate L is secured to both the parts M M and J J by screws. The plate L rests upon the shoulder H4 and is made liquid-tight by packing m, supported in a groove in the shoulder H4, and by a liquid cement orsealingpacking 7c, poured into the spaces between the sides of the recess H and the metal J J K and vallowed to harden. In this way no moisture can have access into the armaturechamber H2.

R is an armature, circular in plan and preferably having an upper surface of copper r for making a good conducting connection with the contact-cups C. This armatureis loosely supported by the shoulder H5 within the armature-chamber H2 of the stone or concrete block H. A spring S is arranged in the chamber H3 below the armature and presses upward against it, so as to greatly reduce its dead weight, and thereby enable the said armature to be lifted by magnetic attraction without very great effort. This e11- ables me to employ a strong armature and yet one which may be easily lifted. Current is supplied to the armature by a flexible conductor T, the lower end of which is secured to the branch conductor Gr, leading from the supply-conductor D, extending along the ICG IIO

railway. This branch ,conductor .G is inf duit or wrapper E of suitable construction.,

The bottom of the spring-chamber H3 is enlarged where the conductor Genters, and this space is sealed by a cement packing 25. By this means no moisture canpass upward into the interior of the block H, so that all Working parts are kept dry and free from dirt and rust. The contact-barK tightly fits between the magnetic plates J J and is clamped in position by the straps V V, of brass or other non-magnetic metal, said straps being held down by the nuts of the bolts W at the four outer corners of the plates J J and which extend through the stone or concrete block. These bolts, furthermore, pass through the plate L.

It will be seen that the construction herein set out embodies cheapness, durability, perfect contact, simplicity, and ease ofrepair.

In practice the north and "south poles of the magnets carried on the car pass, respectively, over 'the magnetic plates J and J and these through the parts M M convey the magnetism to the armature It, which is head K.

caused to rise and make Contact with the cups O. The current passes from the conductor D through branch G, flexible conductor T,

and armature to the cups O, and from these by springs P, iingers Z, plate L, contact-bar Y K, and head K to the collector on the car,

which is made to travel in contact-with the As soon as the magnet-poles pass out of the immediate vicinity of the plates J J the armature R falls and opens the circuit.

Y By' using the spring S to counterbalance the greater portion of the weight of the arma! ture R only a small degree of magnetization is required to lift the armature. Foi` this reay e son a large and heavy armature maybe used, and consequently a more positive contact with the cups O secured.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5, 6, and

'7 the plate L carries the perforated plate N, j s secured to it at N.

modification of my invention the coiled Furthermore, in this springs P (shown in Figs. l and 4) are substituted by plate-springs P riveted at one end to the plate N and at the other secured to the T cups O, with which the armature R makes contact. This construction is somewhat more simple than that of Figs. l to 4 and has the advanta e that the path of the electric current wou d be over parts positively secured together, and hence there would be less liability of deterioration due to wear, and, furthermore, the movement of the contact- 'cups O in the perforated plate N will be more accurate and positive. While I have shown four of the contact-cups O, I do not restrict myself to any particular number of them, as my invention would include one or more. By the use of spring-contacts with an armature which comes up positively and firmly to stationary portions, such as N or M, there is no possibility of arcing at the contact-cups O, due to vibration, and hence the closure and maintenance of closure of the circuit are most positive and sure. The armature is drawn up quickly and held firmly to the mag netic parts J M J M, and the springs P or P insure the contact-cups adjusting themselves to the armature automatically and secure the maintenance of a closed circuit so long as the armature remains raised. No vibration or jarring due to the passage of the car could in any manner interrupt the circuit by impairing the direct connection between the armature and contact-cups, as must occur if this contact were the result of any attempted accurate fitting of theseparts relatively to each other. It is evident that while the contacts O are more positive when pressed downward or toward the armature by the springs they may' simply be made heavy, as shown at O" in Fig. 8, and connected by an arm P2 with the plate N, through which they project, the said weight acting to keep the contacts pressed upon the armature R when raised. The arm P2 may be without elasticity or may be similar to springs P, as desired, the weight O of the contact being wholly or partially relied upon to maintain the connection with the armature. In Fig. 5 I have shown a spiral spring T, of flat sheet metal, stamped out of a sheet of spring brass or copper and stretched into shape shown. This spring may act as the flexible conductor connecting the armature R with the conductor G alone or also as the counterbal'ancing-spring support to take the place of spring S in Fig. l. This spring T will give to the armature R a slight rotary motion on rising, so that when it touches the contacts O it will tend 'to keep the contact-surfaces bright and clean. This same lfunction is also accomplished by the employment of the at springs P, as it gives to the contacts O an eccentric or rocking motion when pushed upward by the armature, and hence causesv a rubbing between the contact-surfaces. The contact O may be of metal, carbon, or other suitable material, as desired. In Fig. 9 I have shown the same general construction as that of Figs. 5, 6, and 7; butin this case the plate N is secured to the magnetic parts M M instead of to the vplate L. In all of these forms of my invention there are two elements which constitute the immediate circuit-closing switch, one being the armature which is brought up into a fixed position against a support under the influence of magnetic attraction 'and the other a movable and compensating contact, which IOO TTO

adapts itself to the position of the armature either in open or closed circuit and is limited in its movement only in a direction toward the armature. The downward limit to the movable contacts O prevents any possibility of a live box when the armature has fallen.

While I prefer .the construction shown, I do not limit myself to the details, as these may be modified without departing from' the spirit of the invention.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

l. A circuit-closing contact-block for yan electric railway consisting of a hollow block of insulating material open at the top, combined with a compound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising two side plates of magnetic material a central `contact-bar of non-magnetic material with which the collector onthe car may make contact and a sealing-plate itting the opening in the top of the hollow block and upon which the side plates and contact-bar rests, one member .of a .circuit making and breaking switch secured to the under side of the sealing-plate of the compound plate structure, a movable armatureof magnetic material forming the other member of the switch extending under each of the side plates of magnetic material, and a ilexible conductor extending through the lower part of the hollow block and connected to the armature whereby the latter may rise and close the electric circuit.

2. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway .consisting of a hollow block of insulating material open at the top, combinedwith a compound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising two side plates of magnetic material and a central contact-bar of non-magnetic material with which the collector on the car may make contact, one member of a circuit making and breaking switch secured to the under side of the compound plate structure and comprising a series of spring conducting-surfaces, a movable armature of magnetic material forming the other member of the switch extending under each of the side plates of magnetic material, and a iiexible conductor extending through the lower part of the hollow block and connected to the armature whereby the latter may rise and close the electric circuit through the spring conducting-surfaces.

3. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway consisting of a hollow block of insulating material open at the top, comf bined with a compound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising two side plates of magnetic material and a central contact-bar of non-magnetic material with which the collector on the car may make contact, one member of a circuit making and breaking switch secured to the under side of the compound plate structure, a movable armature .of magnetic material forming the other member .of the switch `extending under each of the side plates of magnetic material, a flexible conductor extending through the lower part of the hollow block and connected to the armature whereby the latter mayrise and close the electric circuit, and a counter;- balancei-spring to counterbalance a material portion of the weight of the armature.

4. A circuitfclosing contact-block for an electric rialway consisting of a hollow block of insulating material open at the top and having a shoulder H4, combined with a cornpound plate structure resting upon the shoulder and sealing the opening at the top comprising two side plates of magnetic material a central contact-bar of non-magnetic material with which the collector .on the car may make contact and a sealing-plate itting down upon the shoulders of the hollow block and upon which plate the side plates and ycontact-bar to the armature whereby the latter may rise and close the electric circuit.

5. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway which consists ,of a hollow block of insulating material, combined with a i sealing-plate structurev comprising the central contact-bar K K the side plates J of magnetic material, the plate L uniting the plates J J the parts M M of magnetic material -below the respective plates J J', and the perforated plate N between the parts M M, contact-cups O supported in the apertures of the plate N, springs connecting the cups `electrically with the plate L, an armature .of magnetic. material arranged within the hollow block and below the contact-cups and parts M Mf, and a conductor for supplying electricity to the armature.

6. The combination of the insulating hollow block with two plates of magnetic material separated a short distance apart and arranged at the upper part of the hollow block, a non-magnetic contact portion arranged intermediate of said plates and having one member of a circuit-closing switch extending downward into the hollow space of the block, an armature of magnetic material forming the other member of the circuit-closing switch and arranged below the magnetic plates, a flexible connection for supplying electricity from a source outside .of the block to the armature therein, and a counterbal- IOO IIO

ancing-spring for supplying a large portion` of the weight of the armature whereby it may be easily raised by magnetic attraction through the magnetic plates.

7. In a contact-block for electric railways, the combination of a hollow block, a transverse plate having downwardly-extending fingers, a surface contact extending above the plate, springs surrounding said fingers, a perforated plate below the fingers, contactcups supported by the perforated plate and projecting through the apertures therein and also in connection with the springs, and an armaturev arranged below the perforated plate adapted to be brought into electrical connection with the contact-cups to close an electric circuit, and a source of electric supply connecting with the armature.

8. In a contact-block for electric railways, the combination of a hollow block, a transverse plate having downwardly-extending fingers, a surface contact extending above the plate, springs surrounding said fingers, a perforated plate below the fingers, contactcups supported by the perforated plate and projecting through the apertures therein and also in connection with the springs, two side plates ofv magnetic material respectively arranged upon opposite lateral sides of the 1ingers springs and contact-cups, and an armature of magnetic material arranged below the perforated plate adapted to be brought into` electrical connection with the contact-cups to close an electric circuit, and a source of electric supply connecting with the armature.

9. In a contact-block for electric railways, the combination of an insulating-block, two magnetic side plates J J and an intermediate contact-bar K of non-magnetic material arranged at the upper part of the block, bolts W for the lates J to hold them to the insulating-bloc and transverse clamping-strips V extending over the ends of the bar K.

10. In a contact-block for electric railways, a hollow block of insulating` material open at the top, combined with a magnetic armature within the hollow block, a conductor of electricity connecting with the armature, a magnetic compound structure sealing the open top of the hollow block andcomposed of two magnetic parts separated by a non-magnetic contact part, and an adjustable contact arranged above the armature and secured to the under part of the compound structure.

1 1. .In a contact-block for electric railways, a hollow block of insulating material open at the top, combined with a magnetic armature within the hollow block, a counterbalancingspring for the armature, a conductor of electricity connecting with the armature, a magnetic compound structure sealing the open top of the'hollow block and composed of two magnetic parts separated by a non-magnetic -contact part, and a series of adjustable contacts arranged above the armature and sel cured to the under part of the compound structure.

12. A circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway consisting of a hollow block of insulating'material open at the top, combined with a compound plate structure sealing the opening at the top comprising two side plates of magnetic material and a central contact-bar of non-magnetic material with which the collector on the car may make contact, one member of a circuit making and breaking switch secured to the under side of the compound plate structure and movably supported by a spring, a movable armature of magnetic material forming the other member of the switch extending under each of the side plates of magnetic material, and a flexible, conductor extending through the lower part of the hollow block and connected to the armature whereby the latter may rise and close the electricl circuit.

13. In a circuit-closing block for an electric railway, the combination of a contact part for directly supplying current to the car, an armature adapted to be raised by magnetic attraction, asupport against which the armature is positively drawn when raised, and a spring-contact electrically connected with the contact part and having a circuitclosing'part spring-pressed against the armature only when in its raised position.

14. In a circuit-closing contact-block for an electric railway, the combination of a contact part for directly supplying current to the car, an armature adapted to be raised by magnetic attraction, a support against which the armature is positively drawn when raised, and a spring-contact consisting of a spring, a perforated plate carrying the spring and electrically connected with the contact part and a circuit-closing part secured to the spring and extending through the perforation in the perforated plate whereby it is spring-pressed against the armature only when in its raised position.

15. In a contact-block for an electric railway, a compound plate comprising two magnetic portions and a non-magnetic contact part between them for supplying current to the car, combined with an armature adapted to be raised by magnetic attraction and in circuit with the supply-conductor of the rail- IOO IIO

way, and ya spring-actuated circuit-closing part electrically connected to the non-magnetic contact part and adapted to press 4against the armature when raised to form a LEON W. PUIJLEN.

Witnesses:

R. M. KELLY, M. J. EYRE.