US468912A - Turn-table connection for electric railways - Google Patents

Description

(No Model.)

R. M. HUNTER. TURN TABLE CONNEGTION'FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

No. 468,912. Patented Peb. 16, 1892.

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, V UNITED STATES PATE T OFFICE.

RUDOLPH M. HUNTER, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE THOMSON-HOUSTON ELECTRIC COMPANY,

OF CONNECTICUT.

TURN-TABLE CONNECTION FOR ELECTRIC RAILWAYS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 468,912, dated. February 16, 1892. Original application filed February 17, 1886, Serial No. 192,187. Divided and this application filed May 21, 1888. Serial No- (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, (Case 59,)of

which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to electric railways; and it consists of certain improvements, fully set forth in the following specification and shown-in the accompanying drawings,

which form part thereof.

This application (No. 59) is a division (A) of my application filed February 17, 1886, Se rial No. 192,187.

I 5 The improvements herein particularly set out are those relating. to turn-tables and swing or pivot bridges for electric railways.

In carrying out my invention I provide a turn-table or swing-bridge or switch device by which a car of an electric railway may be shifted to a branch track or turned end for end on the main line, and in which when the turn-table or bridge turns the electric current. passing through its working conductors always remains the same in polarity as the corresponding working conductor of the main line or branch. In the case of an ordinary turn-table, the electric-supply conductors to the working conductors on the turn-table or switch may be connected directly from the main-line conductors; but in the case of a swing-bridge I prefer to take them under the river and bring them up through the pivot-pier of the bridge. This would obviate the necessity of making direct connections between the working conductor on the .main track and the bridge-conductors, and

also the necessity of providing make-andbreak devices for shunting the current around the bridge-conductors when the bridge was open.

It is evident that my invention is equally applicable to railway-switches where the conductors are moved without all the superstruct: ure and appendages of a turn-table, which is, broadly considered, but a type ofswitch.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of a swing or pivot bridge adapted to an electric railway and embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a turn-table for an electric railway embodying my invention. Fig. 3 is a plan view of my turn-table or switch, showing it in preferred connection with main and branch tracks, and also provided with an electric motor to rotate it; and Fig. 4 is a cross-section of the conduit and conductors, taken on line a", x of Fig. 3.

This invention is adapted to series, multiple, or series-multiple methods of operating the motors.

Referring to Fig. 1, we have a swing-bridge m, having positive and negative working conductors B and C, arranged parallel and adapted to supply current to the traveling electric motors. These conductors B C on the bridge are in line withthe corresponding main-line conductors B and C when the bridge is closed, but have no direct connection with them. The bridge has acommutator n at its center and adapted to be operated by the movements of the bridge. The main conductors C C on each side of thebridge are connected by a wire at, and the other conductors B B connect with the two brushes of the coinmutator n'by wires'n tions are respectively connected with the bridge-conductors B C by wires n and the conductors B C may be connected by a resistance S sufficient to cause current to pass through a motor on the bridge to propel it slowly. In place of this resistance an electric switch, such as shown in Fig. 2, may be used, or the connections maybe made as shown in Fig. 3. It will be observed that the wires 07. n are below the river and the main-track conductors and bridge-conductors are always in circuit and yet do not interfere with the movements of the bridge. By sinking the wires n n and employing the devices shown no mechanical connection need be made at the terminals of the bridge-conductors and those of the main track.

Referring to Fig. 2, we have substantially the same construction, only in this case the mechanism is adapted to a turn-table. In 5 this case the conductors B and C on the turn-table are connected through a switch a, as shown, which, when a car is on the turn- The commutator-sec 75 I table, is caused to open, making the current pass through the motor on the car. The switch is automatic in its action to electrically connect B and O the instant the car has run ofi theturn-table. An y suitable form of switch may be used.

able to series and series-multiple systems, but may be used on ordinary multiple systems. It will be noticed that the commutator n is simply employed to commutate the line-currents in such a manner that they shall always pass through the movable conductors, so as to make them of the same polarity and insure the current passing through the motor in one direction irrespective 'of the turning of the movable conductors. When-the turn-table or bridge is turned end for end, its conductors are reversed with respect to the stationary line conductors, and the commutator automatically couples them with the linecondnctors in a way to maintain the current flowing through the motor passing over said movable conductors in the same direction in which itwas flowing through the motors whe n on the stationary line conductors. The direction of current is shown by the arrows in Fig. 2. Now should the turn-table be turned end for end conductor B would come in line with conductors O and O in line with conductor The commutatorwould then cause the current flowing from B to pass by n and a around switch a to B, and by n and n to continuation of line Ben the other side-of the turn-table. However, the instant a car runs on the turn-table the current would pass through theswitch-magnet a to O, a'ndthen through the motor to B, and by conductors n n to line, as before. In all cases the current flows through the motor in the same direction. The commutator shown is a divided ring with contact-brushes. It may be made in any suitable manner.

Referring now to Fig. 3, we have the turntable m,'provided, as before, with the positive and negative conductors B C,.adapted to come into line with the conductors B and C on the "tracks N N, of which there may be a number radiating from the turn-table, which may be used to "turn the motor around or switch it from one track to another. In this figure the conductors are'shown as in a slotted conduit 0, having theslot d at the top, (see Fig. 4,) and this conduit may continue through the turn-table or bridge. As shown, the corresponding main-line and branch-line conductors B O are connected in parallel by wires 07.. The conductorsB O on the turntable are connected to thetwo sections of the commutator n, as bet'ore,.but being connected with the main conductors B and O in parallel they are not connected to a conductor of one polarity, as before. The current from the main conductors B and C or the wires n are conveyed to the commutator by conductors N and their brushes. By this means all of the conductorsB B and O O would be con- In the cases of Figs. '1 and 2 the connections are particularly suitnected in parallel. The turn-table or bridge may have a rack M, with which a pinion F on the shaft of the electric motor f meshes to rotate the turn-table. The mot'orf may be in parallel with the conductors B O by circuit T, having a switch t to put it in or out of ac tion. It is immaterial to my invention how these lines on the turn-table or bridge are coupled up, it only being necessary to keep the proper polarity of current on the right a main lineand one or more branch tracks,

each provided-with an electric conductor parallel to and independent of the track-rails, a centrally pivoted turn table or bridge arranged in the path of said mainline and provided with'track-rails, and an electric conductor parallel to and independent of the said rails, an d means to supply electric current to the conductors of the main line and branch tracks and turn-table-or bridge, whereby an electrically-propelled vehicle may :recei ve current while being transferredby thetu-rn-table or bridge.

2. In an electricrailway, the combination of a main line and one or more branch tracks, each provided with an electric conductorparallel to and independent of the track-rails, a centrally-pivoted turn -table or bridge arranged in the path of said'main line and provided with track-rails, and an electric con: ductor parallel to and independent ofthe said rails, and-a conductor 'to supply electric current from the conductors of the main lineand branch tracks to the conductor of the'turntable or bridge, whereby an electrically-propelled vehicle may receive current while being transferred by the turn-table orbridge.

In an electric railway, the combination of a main line and one or more branch tracks, each provided with two electric working conductors independent of the track-rails, a turntable arranged in the path of said main line and provided with rails and working electric conductors independent of the 'track-rai'ls'to supply electricity to the motor when 011 said turn-table, a source of electrical supply, and a commutator or switch device to changethe direction of the electric currents in the work-' ing conductors 'on the switch or turn table when it makes a given portion of arevolution. at. In an electric railway, the combination of a main line and one or more branch'tracks, each provided with an electric conductor parallel to and independent of the track-rails, a centrally pivoted turn table or bridge arranged in the path of said mainline and provided with track-rails, and an electricconductor parallel to and independent of the said rails, an electric circuit between the conductors of the main-line turn-table or bridge, and a commutator or sliding connection in the said circuit and operated by the turn-table for maintaining the continuity of the circuit while permitting the turn-table or bridge to be shifted.

5. In a railway, the main track, in combination with a turn-table or bridge having working conductors, an electric motor to, rotate said turn-table or bridge, a commutator device to reverse the direction of the current in the working conductors of the turn-table or bridge upon its being turn ed, line conductors arranged along the main track, a source of electric supply, and connections between the source of supply and conductors of the main track and turn-table or bridge.

(5. In an electric railway, the combination of a main line and one or more branch tracks, each provided with two electric working conductors, a turn-table or bridge arranged in the path of said main line and provided with working electric conductors to supply electricity to the motor when on said turn-table or bridge, a commutator device for reversing the current in the working conductors on the turn-table when turned around, an electric motor to rotate said turn-table orbridge, and a motor-circuit connected to the two main-line working conductors at or near the turn-table or bridge.

7. The combination of an electric railway having supporting-rails and a conductor parallel therewith, a branch railway having also supporting-rails and a conductor, an electric locomotive making contact with said conductor, and means consisting of movable tracks and conductors centrally pivoted and adapted to turn about said pivot for switching the locomotive from the main to the branch track while maintaining the electric connections.

8. The combination of a pivot-bridge or turn-table over a water-way, a central pier therefor, a main-line conductor extending to the bridge or turn-table on each side of the water-way, a working conductor on the bridge or turn-table, and an electric circuit connecting the conductor on the bridge or turn-table with the main-line conductors and extending down at the pier and under the water-way.

9. The combination of a pivot-bridge or turn-table over a water-way, a central pier therefor, a positive and negative main-line Workin g conductor extending to the bridge or turn-table and on each side of the water-way,

a positive and negative working conductor on said bridge or turn-table, electric circuits between said main-line conductors and bridge or turn-table conductors and extending below the water-way, and a commutator device to reverse the current in the conductors on the bridge or turn-table when turned end for end.

10. The combination of a pivot-bridge or turn-table over a waterway, a central pier therefor, a positive and negative main-line working conductor extending to the bridge or turn-table and on each side of the water-way, a positive and negative working conductor on said bridge or turn-table, an electric circuit connecting two of the main-line conductors of like polarity passing below the water-way, electric circuits connecting the other mainline conductors with the two working conductors on the bridge or turn-table and passing below the water-way and up by the pier, a commutator device to reverse the current in the conductors on the bridge or turn-table upon its being turned end for end, and an automatic electric switch to electrically connect or disconnect the positive and negative working conductors on the bridge or turntable.

11. A pivot-bridge or turn-table over a water-Way and having a central pier, in combination with an electric circuit on said bridge or turn-table, a main-line circuit, and a connecting-circuit connecting the main line and bridge or turn-table circuit and extending under the water-way, so as to allow the bridge or turn-table to be turned without interfering with the electric circuit or with the passage of vessels.

12. The combination of a main-line and branch track, each having a positive and negative working conductor electrically independent of the rails, a turn-table at the juncture of said main line and branch and having corresponding positive and negative working conductors electrically independent of the rails, and connecting-circuits for connecting all of the working-conductors of like polarity in parallel.

13. A rotary turn-table or bridge having a slotted conduit, positive and negative working conductors within and insulated from said conduit, positive and negative supply-conductors connecting with said working conductors, and a commutator device to reverse the current fed to the working conductors upon turning the turn-table or bridge.

14.. In an electric railway, the combination of a main track, a conduit arranged along the track, a conductor arranged within the conduit, a centrally-pivoted turn-table or bridge, a conduit on said turn-table or bridge, and an electric conductor within said conduit of the turn-table or bridge.

15. In an electric railway, the combination of a main track, a conduit arranged along the track, a conductor arranged within the conduit, a centrally-pivoted turn-table or bridge, a conduit on said turn-table or bridge, an electric conductor within said conduit of the turn-table or bridge, and electric connections between the conductor of the main track and conductor on the turn-table or bridge.

16. In an electric railway, the combination of a centrally-pivoted turn-table or bridge, the main-line conduit and conductor extending along the main track, a section of conduit on the turn-table, a bared conductor in said 7 section of conduit in substantial alignment ductor extending along'the main track, a turn- I table or bridge having a section of track, a conductor extending along the track of the turn-table or bridge, an electric motor to'rotate the turn-table or bridge, a circuit including themotor and receiving current from the main-track conductor, and a switch for con- 7 trolling the current delivered to the motor without interrupting the supply of current to the conductor along the main track.

19. The combination of a main track, a conductor extending along the main track, a turntable or bridge having a section of track, a conductor extending along the track of the turn-table or bridge, an electric motor to rotate the turn-table'or bridge,a circuit including the motor and receiving current from the main-track conductor, and means to control the current in the motor-circuitindependently of the current in the conductor on the turntable or bridge.

20. A turn-table or bridge, combined with an electric motor to rotate it, stationary source of electric energy, circuits leading from the source of supply and including'the motor, and a switch to control the current flowing through the motor.

21. A turn-table or bridge made with a circular portion and having a curved rack, a stationary electric motor,a pinion on the motor shaft for operating the rack, a stationary source of electric energy, circuits for supplying current to the motor, and a switch to control the operation of the motor.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

RUDOLPH M. HUNT-ER.

\Vitnesses:

E. M. BRECKINREED, ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER.

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