Patent GB-127946-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in Electric Battery Charging Apparatus.
IPC: H02J7/00
Filed: 1918-06-03
Abstract: 127,946. Igranic Electric Co., (Cutler Hammer Manufacturing Co.). June 3, 1918. Stands. - Battery - charging apparatus, as shown in Fig. 1, comprises rack units 10 connected to rheostat panels 12 and a meter panel 11, each unit having terminals adjacent those of the next unit, and all the units on a single circuit being arranged end to end. Each panel 12 is fitted with two rehostats 65, 70, one for regulating the current through the corresponding racks, and one for compensating for any number of racks which may be out of use. A switch 67 is provided on each panel for including or cutting out an ammeter 60 on the panel 11, thus enabling the current through the corresponding racks to be ascertained. Each rack, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, con. sists of a frame divided into partitions 22 carrying blocks 24 to ensure the correct insertion of the batteries. Each compartment has front and rear contacts 32, 33 to engage the battery terminals, which are formed as coiled springs 30. The contacts 32 are carried by stems engaged by levers 36 which are pressed downwards by springs 40. As shown in side elevation in Fig. 4, the rear levers 36 engage fixed contacts 41 when the corresponding compartment is empty, the lever 36 being lifted out of contact when a battery is inserted. Fig. 7 shows a rack in plan. The batteries are connected in series through the contacts 32, 33 by conductors 42, 43. When a battery is removed, the rear lever 36 is lowered and engages the contact 41 to complete the circuit through a. resistance 44 connected to the contact strip 41 and strip 43. Current enters the rack unit through a strip 46 and leaves by a strip 50 connected to a lead 48. The strips 42 are provided with clips 51, to which the terminals of a volt-meter can be applied. Figs. 4 and 6 show the rack-supporting means. The racks are provided with hooks 52 which engage blocks 53 surrounding the uprights 13. The blocks are recessed to receive two U-shaped members 54 which surround the uprights and project through holes in the blocks 53, where they are held by nuts 55. The arrangement of the panels 11, 12 and the connexions to the rack units are shown in Fig. 8. One rack is shown at 10<a> and two racks in a series at 10<b>, 10<c>. A switch 67 on each rheostat panel engages a contact 72 and either of two contacts 73, 74. The rheostat 71 is divided into steps corresponding to the resistance of each rack unit. The panel 11 is fitted with an ammeter 60 and a relay 62 controlling an electro-magnetic switch 61 which interrupts the current if the batteries discharge through the circuit in the wrong direction. Assuming the switch 61 and the contact 74 to be closed, contact 73 being open, the current flows from the lead L through a fuse 63, conductors 87, 88, 89, to the contact 72, and thence through the rheostats 71, 66, to the batteries, and back through the contact 74, lead 90, switch 61, fuse 64, to the lead L<1>. The ammeter is included in the circuit of any set of racks by opening the corresponding contact 74 and closing the contact 73. When the switch 61 is open, current flows from L through the conductors 87, 95 and the coil 62<a> to a conductor 96 leading to auxiliary contacts 97 of the switch 61, and hence to the line L<1> through the conductor 91.