Patent GB-178598-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to electric generating and supply systems
IPC: F02N11/08
Filed: 1921-02-01
Abstract: 178,598. Igranic Electric Co., Ltd., (Cutler-Hammer Manufacturing Co.). Feb. 1, 1921. Lighting and heating systems; systems of charging and discharging galvanic batteries.- An electric supply system comprises a high-voltage generator, a low-voltage battery, load circuits for the generator and the battery respectively, and means responsive to the load on or condition of the battery to start and to stop the generator and to transfer the load from one source to the other. A high-voltage generator 1, driven by a gas engine 2, is adapted to be connected to a load circuit 4, 5 and a low-voltage battery 3 is adapted to be connected to a local circuit 5. 6. The lamp loads 7 and 9 on the circuits 4, 5 and 5, 6 respectively are controlled by double-pole switches 10, and a similar switch 11 controls a. motor 8 and a resistance r. An electromagnetic switch 12 is provided with contacts 13, 14 adapted, in its " off " position, to connect the lead 6 to the righthand side of the batttery 3, and the lead 5 is connected direct to the other side of the battery. In the " on " position of the switch 12, the left-hand terminal of the generator 1 is connected to the lead 4 through the contacts 15, 16 of the switch 12. The generator 1 is also connected to the battery 3 through the contacts 17, 18 of the switch 12, a voltage-reducing resistance r<1>, the contacts of a relay 37 and the winding of an ammeter 33. The ignition circuit of the engine 2 is controlled by switches 23, 24 and 25. When the load 9 is on the circuit 5, 6 the switch 24 is energized over the following circuit :-positive pole of battery 3, winding of ammeter 33, lead 40, contacts 13, 14 of switch 12, lead 41, winding of switch 24, lead 6, load 9, lead 5 to negative pole of battery 3. When the load 9 exceeds a predetermined value, the switch 24 is operated to close the circuit of the winding 28 of the switch 23. The closure of the switch 23 completes the ignition circuit of the engine 2 and connects the generator 1 to the battery over leads 42, 46, winding 29 of switch 23, series field-winding f, winding of switch 25, and lead 50. The generator 1 then acts as a motor to start the engine. When the voltage of the generator reaches a predetermined value, the switch 12 operates to break the circuit 5, 6 and to place the circuit 4, 5 across the generator through the contacts 15, 16. Under these conditions the winding 29 is energized to oppose the winding 28 to open the switch 23, and the winding 30 is energized to hold the switch open. The closure of the switch 25 maintains the ignition circuit of the engine when the switch 23 is open. When the load on the circuit 4, 5 decreases to a predetermined value the switch 25 is opened to stop the generator and the switch 12 is operated to open the load circuit 4, 5 and to close the load circuit 5, 6. When the battery 3 is discharged to a predetermined value the arm 36 of the amperehour meter 33 engages the contact 34 to energize the winding 28 of the switch 23 and the engine is started as described above. When the battery is fully charged the arm 36 of the ampere-hour meter, 33 engages a contact 35 to energize the coil of a switch 37 which operates to open the charging circuit of the battery. When the motor 8 is switched on, the resistance r is connected across the circuit 5, 6 and the current in this circuit is of such a value that the generator 1 is started.