US683279A - Control system for electric cars. - Google Patents

Description

Patentod Sept. 24, I90I.

(Application filed an. 22, 1000. Imam-0d Aug. 2, 1001.

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Iodol.)

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No. 683,279. Patented Sept. 24, 190i. 6.. HOCHENEGG.

CONTROL SYSTEI FOR ELECTRIC CARS.

(Applimfion Med Jun 22, 1900. Renewed Aug. 2, 1901.) (lo Modal.) 2 Sheets-Shoat 2.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CARL IIOCI'IENEGG, OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA-HUNGARY, ASSIGNOR TO SIEMENS & IIALSKE ELECTRIC COMPANY OF AMERICA, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

CONTROL SYSTEM FOR ELECTRIC CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 683,279, dated September 24, 1901.

Application filed January 22, 1900. Renewed August 2,1901. Serial No. 70,781. (No model.)

To all 1.0700122 2315 may concern: being preferably interposed between the car- Be it known that I, CARL HOCHENEGG, a axles and the rotating motor means. Clutch subject of the Emperor of Austria-Hungary, mechanism, preferably that shown in the said residing at Vienna, Austria-Hungary, have patent, is interposed between each motor 5 invented a certain new and useful Improvemeans and its associate controller.

ment in Electric-Railway Systems, (Case No. Another feature of my invention may be 299,) of which the following is a full, clear, generally described as consisting in poleconcise, and exact description, reference bechanging switches associated with the trac- 6o ing had to the accompanying drawings, formtion-motors and electromagnetic means for IO ing a part of this specification. effecting the operation of the pole-changing My invention relates to electric-railway switches, this electromagnetic means being systems, and has for its object the provision preferably operated by means of current reofimproved means for effecting the operation ceived from the trolley-line. The switches of controllers upon several motor-cars in a are preferably so disposed with relation to [5 single train and also the provision of imthe electromagnetic means foreffecting their proved switching apparatus for controlling operation that when the current for supplythe operation of the traction-motors with the ing this means is interrupted the switches supply-conductors and for simultaneouslyefwill be in neutral position, in which they fecting a reversal of the motor connections to serve to cut the motors out of circuit.

20 reverse the direction of rotation of the trac- I will explain my invention more particution-motors, and thereby the direction of larly by reference tothe accompanying drawtravel of the train. ings, in which More specifically one feature of my inven- Figure 1 diagrammatically illustrates two tion has for its object the provision of an immotor-cars in the train, the apparatus of my 25 proved motor means adapted to effect the opinvention being shown in place. Fig. 2 illuseration of suitable mechanism upon each of trates,diagrammatically,twomotor-carsinthe the motor-cars to efiect the simultaneous optrain, modified means for effecting the opera eration of the motor-controllers. tion of the pole-changing switches and for My improved motor means is particularly initially controlling the motors being illus- 0 well adapted to operate the controller-actutrated. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a car axle ating mechanism illustrated in Patent No. with its wheels in place thereon and the pre- 623,223, dated April 18, 1899. In the appafer-red form of motor driven by the car-axle. ratus disclosed in said patent special electric Fig. 4 is a sectional view on line at 4 of Fig. motors receiving their-current from the trol- 3. Fig. 5 is a side view of the mechanism 5 Icy-line were employed to eifect the operation shown in Fig. 3.

of the controller-actuating mechanism, one Like parts areindicated by similar characmotor being placed upon each of the motorters of reference throughout the different cars, this motor running constantly to be in views.

readiness to operate the controller-actuating I will first explain the type of controller- 40 mechanism. I have shown myimproved moactuating mechanism that is adapted for use tor means as being adapted particularly for in connection with theimproved motor means use in connection with the apparatus of the of my invention, after which I will describe said patent; but I do not wish to be limited my improved motor means in detail and the 5 to the use to which the invention may be put. mechanism for initially controlling the mo- 45 Generally speaking, this feature of my intors and their precise manner of communivention consists in a motor means associated cation with the trolley-line. with each motor-controller, the motor means I preferably employ upon each motor-car being adapted to be mechanically driven by of the train myimproved motor means a, to IO) means of the moving car. The cars in travbe more fully hereinafter described, in addi- 5o eling effect the rotary movement of the motion to the traction-motor, the latter receivtor means, preferably through the agency of ing current from trolley-wires b b by means the rotating axles of the car-trucks, gearing of trolleys in contact therewith. The motor means a are preferably of the same size and are adapted to be rotated at the same speed, and through the agency of intervening gearing a efiect the rotation of the shaft 0 in a uniform direction. A large gear-wheel d and a small gear-wheel e are provided upon each shaft 0. Each gear-wheel d engages a collar f,preferably of nonmagnetic material, loosely mounted upon a shaftf. A flexible couplingf unites the shaftf with the shaft of a controller to permit thecontroller-shaft gradually to start from a state of rest. Each wheel e engages a small wheel e, which in turn rotates a clutch member 6 also loosely mounted upon the shaftf. Each clutch memberf is opposed to a clutch memberf Each clutch member e is associated with a clutch member a The clutch members 6 and f are splined upon the shaft f and are capable of longitudinal movement upon the shaft. A coiled springis interposed between the clutch members c e normally to separate the same. Another coiled springz' is interposed between the member f and a disk-armature i, preferably mounted upon the shaftf and having no longitudinal movement thereupon. The latter coiled spring when not counteracted maintains the clutch members ff in engagement. The coils Z m of the clutch members 6 are adapted to be included in circuit with a suitable source of current, as the battery 7c, by means of a switch 7c, operated by the motorman. A

The apparatus upon the ears shown in Fig.

1 are similar and similar letters and numerals of reference have been employed to designate like parts thereof.

In operating the controller onlyone switch upon the leading car is usually employed, the'switches upon the other cars being open. Before describing the particular features of my invention I will first set forth the manner of operation of the controller-actuating apparatus described above in detail.

Assuming that the shafts c are rotated in a uniform direction through the agency of the motor means a in order to efieot the operation of the controllers n to cut out the resistance from circuit with the armaturesand fields of the series wound traction motors shown, the switch 70 upon car No. l is engaged with contact-button l, circuit from the battery in being thereby closed through the coils Z m, whereby the clutch-collars e e upon each car are engaged and each clutch memberf attracted toward its armature 'i to disengageit from its companion memberf. Each controller is thereupon slowly operated by the wheels e and e to cut the resistance out of circuit with the tractionmotors. When the train has reached the desired speedor when it is stationary, the switch it is thrown upon button 2, circuit through coils Z being thereby opened while current from the battery 7c continues to flow through the coils m. Upon this operation of the switch the clutch members 6 e upon each car are separated,

so that no motion is communicated from the shafts c to the'shafts f, the parts 6 being the only ones upon the shaftfthat are constantly rotated. When it is desired to cut the traction-motors out of circuit, the switch It is moved to button 3 to open circuit through the coils m, the spring 2' thereupon throwing the clutch members ff of each clutch into engagement, the wheels 01 then serving to rotate the shafts f at a rapid speed to cut the traction motors out of circuit. After the train has been brought to a stop the switch 7c is again thrown upon button 2, current from battery is being again directed, through the coils m, to separate the members ff upon each car.

I will now describe my improved motor means for efiecting the operation of controller-actuating mechanism.

Oar-axle 0 is caused to rotate the motor means, preferably by means of the mechanism illustrated in Figs. 3, 4, and 5. In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown friction-disks p in frictional engagement with the car-wheels to effeet the operation of the motor means a, but this is not the preferred construction. In Fig. 2 the connections between the frictiondisksp and the controller-shafts are indicated diagrammatically; but I prefer to employ the controller-actuating mechanism shown in Fig. 3.

Referring to the preferred embodiment of my improved motor means shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, I mount a gear-wheel q upon a caraxle and mesh a pinion '2" into engagement therewith. This pinion serves to rotate a bevel-gear s, which in turn serves to rotate the bevel-gears t z. The bevel-gearst are rotated in opposite directionsby the bevel-gear 8, each of the bevel-gears 25 having one direction of rotation upon the forward travel of the train and a reversed direction of rotation upon backward movement of the train. The bevel-gears t t are loosely mounted upon a shaft or other rotating part it, which supports a worm a, Fig. 1, engaging the shaft 0. A ratchet 1;, provided with two sets of teeth sloping in the same direction, is rigidly secured upon the shaft 11.. The bevel-gears t are provided with pawls 10, which engage the teeth of the ratchet, one of the pawls engaging the teeth to effect the rotation of the ratchet, while the other pawl, rotating in the opposite direction, slips engagement with the ratchet-teeth. These pawls are pressed to-,

ward the ratchet bymeans of suitable springs in a manner well known. By means of the gear-wheels s. 25 t and the ratchet v the shaft u is rotated in a uniform direction irrespective of the direction of travel of the train. I am thus enabled to employ motor means for effecting the operation of the controllers, which receive their power as a result of the movement of the train, so that the motor means may be efficient in operation and cheap in construction.

I wlll now describe my improved means for initially efliecting the control of the tractionmotors by reference to Figs. 1 and 2.

I have shown a centrallypivoted polechanging switch :1 one end of which switch is secured to a segmental core :10, passing through the bores of solenoids ocflwhich switch is capable of assuming a central position and extreme positions, with one end near one or the other of the solenoids. A switch y is shown upon each of the cars, the switch serving to close circuit through one or the other of the solenoids when thrown into one or the other of its extreme positions. One switch only, of course, need be operated. hen this switch is in the central position, neither of the solenoids is energized, the spring 09 associated with the switches 09 then serving to restore the same to central positions when the circuit through the motors is completely opened. lVhen the switches are in one extreme position, the motors are connected to run in one direction. lVhen the switches are in the reversed extreme positions, the rotation of the motors is reversed. The solenoids constitute electromagnetic means for effecting the operation of the pole-changing switches, while the switches 31, including their connections,each constitutes a unitary means for efiecting the control of the said electromagnetic means.

In Fig. 2 I have shown supplemental rheostats 2 for initially controlling the operation of the traction motors. In the apparatus shown in this figure the automatically-operated controller actuating mechanism may open the circuit including each of the traction-motors. I have shown in this figure a conductor 2', which serves to unite the main rheostats upon each vehicle. The local-train circuit, including the battery 7;, cooperating with the controller-actuating mechanism, is omitted from Fig. 2 for the sake of clearness. The rheostat .2 shown upon car No. 1, for example, is adapted to close circuit through the main rheostats to start the motors, the train after being started then serving to operate the controller actuating mechanism, after which the auxiliary rheostat may be thrown out of circuit.

There are devices of myinvention that are adapted for use in other connections than with railway systems.

While I have herein shown and particularly described rheostats as comprising controllers for governing the operation of the traction-motors, I do not wish to be limited to this precise form of controller.

It is obvious that changes may readily be made in the apparatus of my invention without departing from its spirit, and I do not, therefore, wish to be limited to the precise arrangement shown; but,

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

1. In a wheeled vehicle, the combination with a shaft of the vehicle, of a gear-wheel q receiving rotary motion from the shaft and adapted thereby to be rotated in either direction, a second gear-wheel 0" receiving its motion from the gear-wheel q, a bevel-gear 8 receiving motion from the gear-wheel r, bevelgears t, t,driven by the bevel-gear s, a ratchet o, and pawls carried by the hevel'gears t, t, and engaging the ratchet 12 whereby the latter is rotated in a single uniform direction irrespective of the direction of travel of the vehicle, substantially as described.

' 2. In a system of electricrailway, the combination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, each having a controller for the corresponding propelling-motor, of means upon each of said cars operated by contact with the roadway for actuating a correspond ing controller, and means upon a single car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controllers upon the several cars, substantially as described.

3. In a system of electric railway, the combination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, each having a controller adapted to graduate and regulate the current through a corresponding propelling-motor, of means upon each of said cars operated by contact with the roadway for actuating a corresponding controller, and means upon a single car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controllers upon the several cars, substantially as described.

4. In a system of electric railway, the com bination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, each having a controller for the corresponding propellingmotor, of means upon each ofsaid cars operated by contact with theroadway for actuating a corresponding controller, and a single actuating means for operatively connecting the controller-ac tuating means with the controllers at the same time, substantially as described.

5. In a system of electric railway, the combination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, each having a controller adapted to graduate and regulate the current through a corresponding propelling-motor, of means upon each of said cars operated by contact with the roadway for actuating a corresponding controller, and a single actuating means for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controllers at the same time, substantially as described.

6. In a system of electric railway, the combination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, of controllers for the propellingmotors of the train, controller actuating means operated by contact with the roadway, and means upon a single car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controllers upon the several cars,substantially as described.

7. In a system of electric railway, the combination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, of controllers serving to graduate and regulate the'cu rrent through the propelling motors, controller actuating means operated by contact with the roadway, and means upon a single car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controllers upon the several cars, substantially as described.

8. In a system of electric railway, the combination with a plurality of motor-cars in a single train, of controllers for the propelling.-

n.n tors of the train, a plurality of controlleractuating means operated by contact with the roadway, and a single actuating means for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controllers at the same time, substantially as described.

9. In a system of electric railway, the combination with a' plurality of motor-cars in a single train, of controllers serving to graduate and regulate the current through the propelling-motors, a plurality of controller-ac- 'tuating means operated by contact with the roadway, and a single actuating means for operativcly connecting thecontroller-actuatng means with the controllers at the same time, substantially as described.

10. The combination with a wheeled vehicle provided with a propelling-motor and a conprovided with a propelling-motor and a controller for the motor, of a controller-actuating means, and means including an element having rolling contact with the roadway for opcrating the controller-actuating means, substantially as described.

11. The combination witha wheeled vehicle provided with a propelling-motor and a controller' serving to increase and decrease the current through the propellingemotor, a controller-actuating means operated by contact with the road-way, and means whereby said actuating means may effect the operation of the controller in reverse directions, substantially as described.

12. The combination with awheel'ed vehicle troller therefor, of a controller-actuating means operated by contact with the roadway,

and means whereby the controller-actuating means may cause the operation of the controller in reverse directions while the vehicle is travelingin a-single direction, substantially as described.

13; In an electric-railway system, a train comprising a plurality of motor-cars, each provided with a traction motor or motors and a motor-controller, means upon each motorcar operated by contact with the roadway for 1 actuating the controller on that car, means upon each motor-car for operativelyconnect- 1 ing the controller-actuating means with the controller, means for simultaneously controlling the operation of the said connecting j means from any desired point on the train,

and auxiliary means for opening and closing the motor-circuits.

14. In an electric-railway system, a train comprising a plurality of motor-cars, each provided with a traction motor or motors and a motor-controller, means upon each motorcar operated by contact with the roadway for actuating the controller on that car, means upon each motor-car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controller, means for simultaneously controlling the operation of the said connecting means from any desired point on thetrain, and auxiliary means for controlling from any desired point on the train the connection between the motor-circuits and the source 0 supply.

15. In an electric-railway system, a train comprising a plurality of motor-cars, each provided with a traction motor or motors and a motor-controller, means upon each: motorcar operated by contact with the roadway for actuating the controller on that car, means upon each motor-car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controller, and a train system comprising means for-simultaneously controlling the operation of said connecting means and means for initially efiecting the control" of the traction-motors.

16. In an electric-railway system, a train comprising a plurality of motor-cars, each I provided with a traction motor or motors and la motor-controller, mean-s upon: each motorcar operated by contact with the roadway for actuating the controller on that car, means upon each motor-car for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controller, means upon each motor-car for controlling the circuit connection between j. the motor-circuits and the source of supply, iand a train-control system for controlling :from: any desired point on the train the operation of said connecting means and said circuitcontrolling means.

17. The combination with a Wheel-vehicle provided with a propelling-motor and acontroller therefor, of means operated by contact with the roadway for actuating the motorcontroller, means for operatively connecting the controller-actuating means with the controller, and a control system comprising means for controlling the operation of the said connecting means, and auxiliary means for open- 7 ing and closing the motor-circuits.

In witness whereof I hereunto subscribe my {name this 9th day of December, A. D. 1899.

CARL HOCHENEGG.

Witnessesz- I ALVESTO S. HOGUE, Aueusr FUGGER.

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