The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-06-25
Perfection OF electric light.
iPhilafelphin Press.l

The chief difficulty with the electric
light-the want OF continuitt-has been
overcome by an invention OF M. j. Rapief.
The London Times says at bis Electric
Llghting-W orks, 10 Middle street, London,
there is q working apparatus called the
Moderator Electric Light, winch produces
an absolutely fixed point OF light as we'll as
the subdivision OF the electric light, secur-
ing perfect continuity Of illumination ire
spective OF the necessary changing OF the
carbons or OF TIE accidental interruption Of
the current. ~ $50 @
The light is produced, says the Times,
from two pairs OF carbons placed one above
the other, the upper pair being inclined to-.
ward each other in Y form, and the lower
similarly inclined, but in V form, the point
points OF the V's: The; lower pair, more.
over, is placed at right angles with the
upper, so that, seen in plan, they would
form cross. They can, however,, be
placed in any other relative position with
out in any way interfering with the re-
suits. The carbons at present used are
eighteen inches long and Of varying di-
aneters, according to requirements. They
are carried in fixed holders, so. arranged
that the points OF one pair are always APP
preaching towards those OF the other pair.
The carbons are kept in iuXtaposition by
means OF Il fine, endless cord, on which is
suspended u weight, the cord passing over
a small pulley attached to each holder. 1t
is so adjusted that every part is in equal
balance or tension, and the descending
weight draws the carbons together, fol-
lowing up their consumption in the
most precise manner. The carbons are
free to slide through their holders,
either small friction pulleys. or cop
per-wire brushes being used to facilitate
their forward movement and to insure
their exact position at all times. The pull
leys also act as conductors of the electric
current. The top holder is capable OF adj
iustment, by means OF set screw, for in
creasing or diminishing the length Of the
VoItaic arc, according as there are a
greater OF lesser number OF lights in the
circuit, several lights requiring, OF course.
4 smaller arc, or, in other words, more
closely placed carbons, than a single one.
Having once determined and fixed the
length OF the Voltaic arc, the distance inva-
riably remains the same until the cartoons
are consumed, unless anything occurs to in
terruDt the current. Should the current,
however, be broken or interrupted from
any cause. another beautiful arrangement
comes into operation, by means of which
the light is instantly restored. Its con-
tinuity. indeed, can hardly be said to have
been broken, so inappreCablei is the time be-
tween the extinction and reippearance OF
the light. 1t is, in fact, mere wink Of the
light. The lower carbon holder is itselfa small
electro magnet, which, while the current is
flowing freely and uninterruptedly through
to the carbon, is held up to an armaturc
fixed over it at the opposite end to that at
which the caribou is held. intermediary
between these two points the arm OF the
holder is pivoted to the framing OF the APP
.paratus, and the holder is capable OF
Slight play on this pivot, similar to the mo-
ton OF scule-beap. Upon the current
being momentarily interrupted, contact
between the rear end Of the holder and
the armature is broken, and the front
end OF the holder, with its carbons, is ill.,
drawn upwards " means
OF small spiral spring, and the cartoons
making contact, the light is instantly re-
established. This establishment OF the
current OF COURSE causes immediate
contact between the electromagnetic and the
armature, and the volatile arc is again fixed.
BY means OF this Ingenious and exceeding
" simple Self-actin@ arrangement the light
is made practically continuous and the ne
cessity for all complex clock-WOrk arrange
ments entirely avoided. The currents arc
led from The wires up rods, the positive to
the upper pair of carbons and the negative
to the lower pair. BY having the positive
current at the top and the negative at the
bottom the light is thrown downwards
owing to the concavity Of the burning sur
face OF the upper carbon point. BY re-
versing the currents there is 4 reverse re-
suit, the light being thrown upwards. The
change of carbons is effected without
in any way interfering with the continue
ty of the light. 1t will be remembered
that four cartoons are used, so that by
withdrawing one at Il time when nearly con-
sumed, and replacing each by fresh one,
no interruption whatever is caused in the
illumination. Another point gained by The
use OF four carbons in TIE moderator sys-
TEN, as against two in ordinary, Is The pro-
duction OF continuous light for double the
length of time any other system will give,
without change of carbons, the carbons be-
ing, OF course, OF the same dimensions IN
each case. The light from the cal bons is
transmitted through the opal-tintcd glass
globes, and steady, bright, but not by any
means intensely brilliant, light is dlffused
around. There is also an absence OF those
dense black shadows so generally caused by
the electric light. In short, a useful and
agreeable light, which can be moderated to
suit all circumstances, is produced.