Improvements in Electric Switches.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 17th Jan., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 14th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
I, SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI of 120 Fellows Road, Hampstead, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is to construct a switch of comparatively small dimensions
for passing currents of very high tension to or from either one or other of two pairs of
conductors from or to a third pair.
•
To effect this two short lengths of insulated conductor are carried at a distance
apart from one another by a slide which can be slidden to and fro along guides
preferably along two fixed parallel rods-the short conductors being in different planes
and at right angles to the slides movement. When moved to the end of the
guides either in one direction or the other the ends of the two short lengths of
conductor are each brought into contact with a metallic brush or contact piece.
The two brushes with which one end of one short length of conductor can be brought
into contact are coupled to one another and to one of a pair of conducors--the other
of this pair of conductors is coupled to the two brushes with which one end of the
other short. conductor can alternately be brought into contact.
The two brushes with which the opposite end of each of the two short lengths of
conductor can alternately bo brought into contact are coupled to one or other of the
conductors of different pairs of conductors.
Thus when the slide is moved to one end of its movement one of these latter pairs of
conductors will be coupled to the first pair and when moved to the other end the first
pair will be coupled to the other of the latter pairs of conductors.
Each brush I form preferably of a number of concentric rings of thin metal
slit through at one point of their circumference for one end of the short ength
conductor to pass into.
The rings opposite to where the slot is formed through them are held in a
clamp.
The slide can be moved quickly to and fro along the guides from its one position to
the other by a rod passing from it to a lever arm the axis of which can have a rocking
movement imparted to it in any suitable manner-spring-stops or buffers may be used
to arrest the slides movement in order to permit of the slide being thrown over quickly
from its one position to the other.
All the contact pieces are made readily removeable so that they may be easily
replaced when worn or for cleaning.
In place of the two short lengths of conductor being carried by a slide sliding on
guides they might be carried by arms or links capable of being rocked on axes-either
to move the two lengths of conductor in a circular or curved or straight course.
Dated this 17th day of January 1889.
Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Switches.
1, SEBASTIAN ZIANI DE FERRANTI, of 120 Fellows Road, Hampstead, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this Invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:-
The object of this Invention is to construct a switch of comparatively small dimensions

page_text: for passing currents of very high tension to or from either one or other of two pairs of
conductors from or to a third pair.
To effect this two short lengths of insulated conductor are carried at a distance
apart from one another by a slide which can be slidden to and fro along guides
preferably along two fixed parallel rods-the short conductors being in different planes
and at right angles to the slides movement. When moved to the end of the guides
either in one direction or the other the ends of the two short lengths of conductor
are each brought into contact with a metallic brush or contact piece.
The two brushes with which one end of one short length of conductor can be
brought into contact are coupled to one another and to one of a pair of conductors
the other of this pair of conductors is coupled to the two brushes with which one
end of the other short conductor can alternately be brought into contact.
The two brushes with which the opposite end of each of the two short lengths
of conductor can alternately he brought into contact are coupled to ono or other
of the conductors of different pairs of conductors.
Thus when the slide is moved to one end of its movement one of these latter
pairs of conductors will be coupled to the first pair and when moved to the other
end the first pair will be coupled to the other of the latter pairs of conductors.
Each brush form preferably of a number of concentric rings of thin metal
slit through at one point of their circumference for one end of the short length
conductor to pass into.
The rings opposite to where the slot is formed through them are held in a clamp.
The slide can be moved quickly to and fro along the guides from its one position
to the other by a rod passing from it to a lever arm the axis of which can have
a rocking movement imparted to it in any suitable manner-spring stops or buffers
may be used to arrest the slities movement in order to permit of the slide being
thrown over quickly from its one position to the other.
All the contact pieces are made readily removeable so that they may be easily
replaced when worn or for cleaning.
In place of the two short lengths of conductor being carried by a slide sliding on
guides they might be carried by arms or links capable of being rocked on axes-either
to move the two lengths of conductor in a circular or curved or straight course.
The drawings annexed show a switch constructed according to my invention.
Figure 1 is a side elevation. Figure 2 a plan. Figure 3 a plan in section and
Figure 4a vertical section of the switch. Figure 5 is a diagram view to shew more
clearly the working of the switch.
A, B are two short lengths of conductor carried at a distance apart from one another
by a slide which can be slidden to and fro along two fixed parallel rods D).
E E E E are metallic brushes with which the upper ends of the conductors A B
can ho brought into contact. The brushes E E¹ are coupled with one another by a
conductor Ex and the brushes EE by another conductor Exx. The conductors E* E**
have coupled to them two conductors X Y of an electrical circuit say from a dynamo
electrical machine.
F, G, F, G³ are four metallic brushes with which the lower ends of the
conductors A B can be brought into contact. The brushes F F have conductors X' Y¹
leading from them and the brushes G' G³ have leading from them other con-
ductors XY'.
When the conductors A B are brought into contact at the top with the brushes E E'
and at the bottom with the brushes F F the conductors X'Y' will form continuations
of the conductors X Y-but when the conductors A B are at the top in contact with
the brushes E' E' and at the bottom in contact with the brushes G' G³ the con-
ductors XY* will form continuations of the conductors X Y.
In this way whenever the slide C is moved so as to carry the conductors A B away
from the brushes E E F F or E¹ E³ G¹ G³ the circuit will be broken at four points.
The slide is shewn as being moved along the guide rods D by a lever arm H
turning on an axis at H'. The lever can be rocked by a second arm H upon it to which

page_text: movement may be given in any suitable way. I I are spring stops or buffers for the
slide C to strike against at one or other end of its movement.
Each of the several brushes is shewn to be formed as above described of a number
of concentric rings slit through at one point of their circumference for the ends of the
conductors A B to pass into.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. A switch for putting one pair of conductors into connection with either one or
other of two other pairs of conductors in which whenever one or other of the circuits
is broken it is broken simultaneously at four different points, substantially as
described.
2. The arrangement of the coupled contact brushes E E' and E E³, the
brushes FF, G¹ G³ and the conductors A B which can be shifted either into a
position to put the brushes EE into connection with the brushes F F² or with the
brushes G G substantially as described.
3. The construction of electrical switches substantially as described.
CARPMAEL & Co.,
Agents.