IMPROVEMENTS IN SWITCHES OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION WITH ELECTRIC LAMPS FOR CLOSING THE CIRCUIT ON THE EXTINCTION OF ONE Of the LAMPS, AND FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING THE LAMPS, WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Edward Hubble, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields,
in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
SWITCHES OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN CONNECTION WITH ELECTRIC
LAMPS FOR CLOSING THE CIRCUIT ON THE EXTINCTION OF ONE Of the
LAMPS, AND FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING THE LAMPS, WHICH
IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
A communication from abroad by Jean Marie Anatole Gérard-Lescuyer, of
Paris, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Edward Hubble
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd November 1881.
WILLIAM EDWARD HUBBLE, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SWITCHES OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN CON-
NECTION WITII ELECTRIC LAMPS FOR CLOSING THE CIRCUIT ON THE EXTINCTION
OF ONE OF THE LAMPS, AND FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING THE LAMPS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
A communication from abroad by Jean Marie Anatole Gérard Lescuyer, of Paris,
in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to apparatus to be employed in connection with electric
lamps for the purpose of automatically closing the circuit when any lamp
becomes accidentally extinguished, and it consists in the employment of an
automatic apparatus, hereinafter described, which is applied to each lamp and is so
constructed that when the circuit is interrupted by the failure of a lamp the
current is caused to pass along another path, and thus by the intervention of
combustible or fusible connections, or by exciting or demagnetizing electro magnets
acting upon rods dipping into cups of mercury or other suitable contact makers
DC71

page_text: automatically closes the circuit, so that the extinction of any lamp provided with
this apparatus cannot in any way interfere with the working of the other lamps
placed on the same circuit.
In carrying out this Invention two iron cups are placed in the circuit on opposite
sides of the lamp underneath two iron rods connected together at their upper
extremities by a cross bar. The cups are partially filled with mercury in such a
manner that during the normal working of the apparatus one of the rods is always
immersed in the mercury in one of the cups, whilst the lower extremity of the
other rod is elevated above the level of the mercury in the other cup.
The two rods are suspended by a platinum wire coiled in a helix offering a
greater resistance than the lamp, and connected with a binding screw, which
communicates with the main circuit on the side of the lamp corresponding to the
rod which is not in contact with the mercury.
During the normal working of the apparatus the current passes through the
lamp in the usual manner, but when from any cause whatever the lamp happens to
go out the current passes through the mercury, which is in contact with the rod in
one of the cups along this rod and through the platinum helix by which the rods
are suspended. This helix then becomes heated by the passage of the current and
allows both of the rods to descend by reason of their weight, or by the action of a
spring, until the rod which was previously elevated out of contact with the
mercury becomes likewise immersed in the mercury in the corresponding cup, and
thus closes the circuit by establishing a communication through the cups and rods,
so that the current passes without interruption.
In lieu of the wire helix, herein before described, which becomes elongated by
the heating action of the current, a straight thread or wire of combustible material
-may-be-employed, or-even-a-very-thin-rod-of-carbon-capable-of-being-consumed_by_
the passage of the current.
According to another modification the two iron rods are connected by a bar of
soft iron, which is supported in the required position during the normal working
of the apparatus by the attraction of a Hughes' electro magnet, consisting of a
permanent horse shoe magnet, the two extremities of which are provided with two
iron shoes or pole pieces secured to two soft iron cores provided with coils. When
the circuit is interrupted a demagnetising current is caused to pass through the
coils surrounding the cores, whereby the armature is released, the rods fall into
the mercury, and the circuit is thereby closed, as in the arrangement herein before
described. Three different paths are thus provided for the current, viz., first
through the lamp, second, through the coils of the electro-magnet, and third,
through the mercury in the cups and along the iron rods.
According to a more practical arrangement, which is especially efficient in lamps
working with alternate currents, two cups are employed in the same manner as in
the preceding arrangement, but the rods are connected to a slide suspended by a
small hook capable of turning on a centre and having two horizontal arms or
branches. The front arm of the hook carries the soft iron armature of an electro-
magnet having a resistance coil of fine wire and fixed by means of a bracket to the
support of the baseboard of the apparatus. In case the lamp provided with this
improved apparatus becomes extinguished the current passes along a shunt or
branch wire into the coil of the electro magnet and magnetises the soft iron core,
which then attracts the armature, causing the hook to turn upon its bearings and
release the slide, which being thus deprived of support descends and allows the
rods to dip into the mercury in the cups. The current then ceases to pass through
the coils of the magnet and passes through the mercury and along the rods, as in
the arrangement herein before described. In the two arrangements lastly herein-
before described the lower extremities of both rods are supported above the surface
of the mercury during the normal working of the current, and in order that the
extinction of a lamp may not affect the working of the other apparatus on the
same circuit a resistance equal to the resistance of the extinguished lamp is placed
in connection with one of the cups. The apparatus may also be employed as a

page_text: switch for extinguishing or lighting the corresponding lamp. For this purpose
two connecting rods are employed, which project respectively through the cover
and through the bottom of the case containing the apparatus, the said rods being
provided with a small knob at their protruding extremities.
n
By the act of pressing upon the upper knob the corresponding connecting rod is
caused to press upon the posterior arm of the hook and releases the slide, which
then descends and immerses the rods or contact makers in the mercury, thereby
diverting the current and extinguishing the lamp. When it is desired to relight
the lamp, on the contrary, it is necessary to press the knob on the lower rod, so as
to push up the slide, which becoming engaged with the hook keeps the contact
makers out of the mercury, leaving two paths only open for the current, viz., first,
through the resistance coils of the magnet, and second, through the lamp, which,
as it offers the least resistance, becomes lighted. The two rods are caused to return
to their original position by a spring.
In lieu of being arranged side by side, as in the arrangements herein before
described, the cups may be arranged one above the other, being in the form of
annular troughs, through the centre of which is passed a rod carrying hollow
cylinders, so arranged as to be capable of making electrical contact by immersing
the lower edges of the cylinders in the mercury contained in the annular troughs.
One extremity of the rod is connected by means of a lever or levers with the
armature of an electro magnet, which becomes excited by the extinction of the
lamp, as already described, and attracts the arinature, thereby closing the circuit
by making contact between the mercury in the annular troughs and the cylinders
attached to the rod. The rods and levers are provided with suitable projecting
knobs or handles to enable the apparatus to be worked by hand for the purpose
of lighting or extinguishing the lamp, as herein before described, when required,
and a spring serves to cause the parts to return to their original position when not
acted on by the magnet or by the hand.
The
A very compact and efficient apparatus may be constructed by arranging the
electro-magnet in a line with and above the two annular cups or troughs and
providing the upper end of the electro magnet with an armature in the form of a
cross bar connected by jointed links or flexible connections with two bell crank
levers provided with pins capable of engaging in corresponding recesses in the
side of a rod supporting hollow cylinders, which make contact with the mercury,
as hereinbefore described. The lower extremity of the rod carrying the cylinders
protrudes through the bottom of the case, and is provided with a knob or handlo
and a rod connected with the armature projects through the top of the case.
electro magnet and the cups of mercury are connected with the circuit in such a
manner that when the lamp is extinguished the electro-magnet becomes excited
and attracts the armature, which through the intervention of the connecting links
and levers causes the pins hereinbefore referred to to release the rod, whereupon
the cylinders drop into the mercury and instantly close the circuit again, so that
the other lamps are enabled to continue working without interruption. This
apparatus may also be worked by hand when desired by means of the projecting
rods hereinbefore described, and suitable springs, the tension of which may be
adjusted by a screw, are also provided for returning the parts to their normal
position.
The apparatus is also applicable to other like purposes, such, for example, as
electro-inotors.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
tho said William Edward Hubble in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
2nd May 1882.
WILLIAM EDWARD HUBBLE, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN SWITCHES OR APPARATUS EMPLOYED IN COX-
NECTION WITH ELECTRIC LAMPS FOR CLOSING THE CIRCUIT ON THE EXTINCTION
OF ONE OF THE LAMPS, AND FOR LIGHTING AND EXTINGUISHING THE LAMPS,
WHICH IMPROVEMENTS ARE ALSO APPLICABLE TO OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES."
A communication from abroad by Jean Marie Anatole Gérard-Lescuyer, of Paris,
in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to apparatus to be employed in connection with electric
lamps for the purpose of automatically closing the circuit when any lamp is acci-
dentally extinguished, and the said Invention consists in the employment of an
automatic apparatus hereinafter described which is applied to each lamp, and is so
constructed that when the circuit is interrupted by the failure of a lamp the current
is caused to pass along another path, and thus by the intervention of combustible
or fusible connections, or by exciting or demagnetising electro-magnets acting upon
rods dipping into cups of mercury, or other suitable contact makers, automatically
-closes-the-circuit,-so-that-the-extinction_of_any_lamp_provided with this apparatus
cannot in any way interfere with the working of the other lamps placed on the
same circuit.
When the lamps are connected in tension, that is to say, are arranged upon a
single circuit in the ordinary manner, the extinction of one lamp causes the
extinction of all the others, and the lights go out, without affording any means
of ascertaining which lamp has failed.
"
Now this Invention relates to means for providing a remedy for this serious
disadvantage, consisting of an apparatus which may be termed an automatic
watcher," because its function is to close the circuit again in case the latter is
opened, or interrupted by the extinction of one of the lights.
The apparatus for attaining this object is susceptible of various modifications, as
hereinafter described.
Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating one of the arrangements according to this
Invention. A represents the lamp. Two metal cups D, D', are placed in the
circuit on opposite sides of the lamp underneath two metal rods C, C', connected
together at their upper extremities by a metal cross bar B. The cups D, D', are
partially filled with mercury in such a manner that during the normal working of
the lamp one of the rods (say the rod C) is always immersed in the mercury in the
cup beneath it, whilst the lower extremity of the other rod (say that C¹) is elevated
above the level of the mercury in the cup beneath it.
The two rods C, C', are suspended by a platinum or other suitable wire A coiled
into a helix, offering a greater resistance than the lamp, and connected with a
binding screw G which cominunicates by a shunt circuit with a binding screw H
connected with a main circuit on the side of the lamp corresponding to the rod C¹
which is not in contact with the mercury. The circuit wires to and from the
lamp are connected respectively to the cups D and D', so that during the normal
working of the lamp A the current pa-ses in the direction indicated by the full
line arrows through the said lamp in the usual manner; but when from any cause
whatever the said lamp goes out the current passes through the mercury which is
in contact with the rod Č in the cup D, and along the said rod and through the
platinum helix A, by which the rods are suspended. The said helix then becomes
heated by the passage of the current, and losing its elasticity allows both of the

page_text: rods C, C', to descend by reason of their weight, or by the action of a spring
until the rod C which was previously elevated out of contact with the mercury
becomes likewise immersed in the mercury in the cup D', and thus closes the
circuit past the lamp A² by establishing a communication through the cups D, D¹,
rods C, C, and bar B, so that the current passes without interruption in tho
direction indicated by the dotted arrows. Consequently the extinction of the
lamp A has no effect upon the working of the other lamps, and apparatus placed.
in the same circuit. It is evident that as many automatic switches are required
as there are lamps, there being a switch for each lamp.
Instead of the wire helix which becomes elongated by the heating action of the
current a straight thread or wire of fusible material may be employed, or even
a very thin rod of carbon capable of being consumed by the passage of the
current.
According to another modification which is illustrated in Figure 2, the two iron
rods C, C', are connected by a bar B of soft iron, which is supported in the required
position during the normal working of the lamp by the attraction of a Hughes
magnet, consisting of a permanent horse shoe magnet, the two arms A³, A³, of
which are provided with the two iron shoes or pole pieces a, a, secured to two soft
iron cores provided with coils A', A When the circuit to the lamp is interrupted
a demagnetizing current is caused to pass through the coils surrounding the cores,
whereby the armature B is released, the rods fall into the mercury, and the circuit
passes the lamp, as described with reference to Figure 1, and as indicated by the
dotted arrows. Three different paths are thus provided for the current, viz.,
through the lamp, as shewn by full line arrows; secondly, through the coils A' on
the magnet; and thirdly, through the mercury in the cups, and along the rods C, C¹,
and bar B, as shown by dotted arrows.
According to another modification, which is especially suited for use with lamps
working with alternate currents, land which is illustrated in Figure 3, two
cups D, D, are employed in the same manner as in the preceding arrangement, but
the rods C, C, are connected to a slide B suspended by a small hook lever F,
having two horizontal arms or branches at ƒ as centres, jointed at E. The one
arm of the hook F carries the soft iron arinature G of an electro magnet A³, having
a resistance coil of fine wire, and fixed by means of a bracket K to the support or
base board of the apparatus. In case the lamp provided with the apparatus
becomes extinguished the current passes along the shunt wires or branch wire
line L through the coil of the electro magnet A³, and magnetises the soft iron core
thereof, which then attracts the armature G, causing the hook F to turn upon its
centref and release the slide B, which being thus deprived of support descends
and allows the rods C, C', to dip into the mercury in the cups D, D¹. The current.
then ceases to pass through the coil of the magnet A³, and passes through the
mercury and along the rods C, C', as in the arrangement hereinbefore described
and as indicated by the dotted arrows.
In the two last described arrangements, Figures 2 and 3, the lower extremities
of both rods C, C, are supported above the surface of the mercury during the
normal working of the current, and in order that the extinction of a lamp may not
affect the working of the other apparatus on the same circuit, a resistance equal to
the resistance of the extinguished lamp is placed in connection with one of the
cups. The apparatus illustrated in Figure 3 may also be employed as a switch for
extinguishing or lighting the lamp in connection therewith. For this purpose two
connecting rods I, 1, are employed, which project respectively through the cover
and through the bottom of the case containing the apparatus, the said rods being,
provided with a small knob at their protruding extremities.
By pressing upon the upper nob the corresponding rod I is caused to press upon
the posterior arm of the hook F, and release the slide B, which theu descends and
lowers the rod C, C1, into the mercury cups D, D', thereby diverting the current
and extinguishing the lamp. To relight the lamp it is necessary to press the knob
on the lower rod I, so as to push up the slide B, which becoming engaged with.

page_text: the hook F raises and maintains the rods C, C¹, raised out of the circuit which
was made through the mercury, leaving two paths only open for the current, viz.,
first, through the resistance coil of the magnet A³; and secondly, through the lamp,
which as it offers the least resistance becomes lighted. The two rods I, 1', are
caused to return to their original position by a spring.
Instead of being placed side by side, as in the arrangements herein before
described, the cups may be arranged one above the other, as illustrated in front
and side elevations respectively in Figures 5 and 6. The mercury cups D, D', are
in the form of annular troughs, through the centre of which is passed a rod C³,
carrying hollow cylinders C, C', so arranged as to be capable of making electrical
contact by immersing the lower edges of the said cylinders in the mercury con-
tained in the said annular troughs D, D'. One extremity of the rod C³ is connected
by means of a lever (or levers) M, with the armature M² of an electro magnet N,
the lower end of the said lever, when the lamp is in work, retaining the rod C³ in
a raised position, and the cylinders out of contact with the mercury; the core of the
said magnet however becomes excited on the extinction of the lamp by the passage
of the current through its coil, after the manner already described, and the arma-
ture M is thereby attracted closing the circuit past the lamp by turning the
lever M, so that its end which supported the rod Callows the said rod to descend,
and the cylinders C, C¹, thereon to come into contact with the mercury in the
annular troughs D, D', whereby the circuit past the lamp is established.
The spring p serves as a counterbalance for the armature M2. The rods C3 and
the armature M² are provided with projecting knobs or handles, as shewn, to enable
the apparatus to be worked by hand for the purpose of lighting or extinguishing
_ the lamp, as herein before described,-when-required,-the-spring-serving-to-cause-the
parts to return to their original position when not acted on by the magnet or by
the hand.
A very compact and efficient apparatus may be constructed according to the
Invention as illustrated in front and side elevation in Figures 7 and 8 respectively.
The electro magnet N is arranged in a line with and above the two annular cups
or troughs D, D'. and the upper end of the electro magnet is provided with an
armature in the form of a cross bar M³, connected by jointed links m, or flexible
connections with two bell crank levers m², provided with pins m³, capable of
engaging in corresponding recesses in the side of the rod C³, supporting the hollow
cylinders C, C, which make contact with the mercury in the cups D, D', as herein-
before described.
The electro magnet N, and the cups of mercury D, D¹, are connected with the
circuit in a manner like that herein before described, so that when the lamp is
extinguished the electro magnet N becomes excited and attracts the armature M,
which, through the intervention of the connecting links m and levers m² causes
the pins m³ to release the rod C³, whereupon the cylinders C, C₁, drop into the
mercury in the cups D, D', and instantly close the circuit past the lamp which has
failed, so that the working of the other lamps is not interrupted.
The lower extremity of the rod C³ protrudes through the bottom of the case,
and is provided with a knob or handle, and a rod connected with the armature
projects through the top of the case for lighting and extinguishing the lamp by
hand as before described.
A spring (or springs) is also provided for returning the parts to their normal
position. The tension thereof may be adjusted by screws, as at r.
The apparatus in addition to being applicable to electric lamps may be applied to
other like purposes, such, for example, as to electric motors, or in other cases where
it may be necessary or desirable to provide means for continuing the current past
any place at which a failure occurs to other place or places at which the current
is utilized.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said
Invention, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into
effect, I would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original,

page_text: and therefore claim as the Invention secured to me by the herein before in part
recited Letters Patent is,-
First. The use in electric circuits for lighting or other purposes of means or
apparatus constructed and arranged or combined, and operating, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated in Figure 1 of the
accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of the said means or apparatus.
Second. The use in electric circuits for lighting or other purposes of means or
apparatus constructed and arranged or combined and operating, substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figure 2 of the accom-
panying Drawings, or any mere modification of the said means or apparatus.
Third. The use in electric circuits for lighting or other purposes of means or
apparatus constructed and arranged or combined and operating, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of
the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of the said means or
apparatus.
Fourth. The use in electric circuits for lighting or other purposes of means or
apparatus constructed and arranged or combined and operating, substantially as
and for the purpose herein before described and illustrated in Figures 5 and 6 of
the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of the said means or
apparatus.
Fifth. The use in electric circuits for lighting or other purposes of means or
apparatus constructed and arranged or combined and operating, substantially as
and for the purpose hereinbefore described and illustrated in Figures 7 and 8 of
the accompanying Drawings, or any mere modification of the said means or
apparatus.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Edward Hubble, have to this my
Specification set my hand and seal, this Second day of May, One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
WILLIAM EDWARD HUBBLE. (L.S.)