1. telepherage An electric transportation system, hitherto only used for the carrying of ore, freight, etc. Its characteristic feature is that the electric conductors, suspended from poles, supply the way on which carriages provided with electric motors run. The motors take their current directly from the conductors.
There are two conducting lines, running parallel with each other, supported at the opposite ends of transverse brackets on a row of supporting poles. At each pole the lines cross over so that right line alternates with left, between consecutive pairs of poles.
The cars are suspended from pulleys running on one or the other of the conductors. A train of such cars are connected and the current is taken in near one end and leaves near the other end of the train. These current connections are so distant, their distance being regulated by the length of the train, that they are, for all but an instant at the time of passing each of the poles, in connection with segments of the line which are of opposite potential. To carry out this principle the distance between contacts is equal to the distance between poles. Owing to the crossing over of the lines the contacts are in connection as described and thereby the actuating current is caused to go through the motors.
Cars running in one direction go on the electric conductors on the one side, those running in the other direction go on the other conductor.
A great many refinements have been introduced, but the system has been very little used.
Definitions of telepherage
