An Improved Apparatus for Regulating Electric C Applicable also as a Motive Power Appliance.
Year: 1889

page_text: An Improved Apparatus for Regulating Electric C
Applicable also as a Motive Power Appliance.
1
I: HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex, 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 present invention relates to means for varying the self induction or reaction
exerted by a coil in an alternating current circuit either in series with lamps or other
energy users, or in circuit with primary or secondary coils in a system of induction
transfer, by means of transformers, or induction coils.
The said invention also provides a simple and powerful motive device giving
mechanical movement from alternating currents, to be utilized in various ways.
The said invention is applied either to regulate a current, or to vary its amount, or
to obtain motion therefrom.
The invention consists in the combination with a core or carrier of iron of ring or
other endless form, of two coils or conductors applied thereto but adjustable or
movable in position or inductive relation with respect to one another, one of said coils
or conductors being in the alternating current circuit while the other is preferably
in an independent closed circuit closed on itself and is the seat of induced currents
produced by the alternating currents flowing in the other conductor. The two con-
ductors might, however, both be in the same alternating current circuit with one
another, as will be hereinafter explained. When one of the conductors is on
independent closed circuit such conductor is preferably of lower resistance than
the other. When it is made the seat of alternating induced currents by the
action of the alternating currents in the other coil, a mutual repulsion will be set up
between the coils or conductors which may be utilized for motive effects. The same
repulsive effect will be produced with proper winding or connection of the coils if both

page_text: are in the alternating current circuit leading from any suitable source of energy. By
setting the two coils in different relative positions on the core the reactive or counter-
electro-motive force to the flow of currents in the inducing conductor or coil may be
varied such reactive resistance varying with the variation of the coils from coincidence
with one another, as will be explained further on. The variation of induction or
reaction is, in my invention obtained without contacts and switches passing over them,
and in a smooth and gradual manner giving great advantages.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 shows a plan and partial section of a device embodying my invention.
Figure illustrates one of the applications of the device.
Figure illustrates in plan, a modification in the connections of one of the coils
of the device.
Figure 4 illustrates a further modification of the invention adapted to a special use.
Figure is a diagram illustrating one of the applications of my invention.
Figure 6 is a plan and
Figure 7 an edge view of another modification in which a mass of iron is applied to
increase the effects.
Figure S is a plan of still another modification.
:
Figures 9 and 10 show in plan the two positions of a form of the invention in which
an armature is applied after the manner hereinafier described.
Figure 1 illustrates a modification in the form of the iron core to which the two
conductors are applied.
In Figure 1. I is an iron core preferably of ring or endless form made of wire or
iron plates suitably piled and insulated as indicated at 12 Figure 7 to avoid Focault
currents. C is a coil of insulated wire wound on the core as shown. $ is a closed
band or coil around the ring and arranged to be moved over the coil C, by a handle H,
connected to a frame carrying coil S and pivoted at P. The conductor S could simply
be slipped along over the other in some cases. Let now an alternating current of
fairly constant potential be feeding lamps L L from wire a to wire with the coil C
in circuit. If the closed coil or band S he brought down over the coil C, very
little reaction or self induction will exist in the coil C and if its resistance be low
the lights L L will be given their full brilliancy.
If the coils S and C be now
separated more and more by moving one away from the other around the ring the
self induction of coil C. progressively rises and becomes greatest when coil S, is
farthest removed from it. The lights are now dimmed as far as possible, gradation
being obtained by setting the coil S. in a position with respect to coil C corresponding
to the desired effect. The action is smooth and very effective. If a switch W be
placed in circuit with said coil and carried thereby so as to be opened when it strikes
a piu p. suitably placed and after the coils C and S have been widely separated, the
effect of coil C, is still further enhanced in dimming the lights or in exerting a self
induction which checks the current in any device with. which the apparatus may be
put in circuit.
In Figure 2 the devices described are shown placed in series with a primary coil P.
of a transformer whose secondary B. feeds the lights L. or other devices with
current. A very smooth and powerful resistance effect may thus be obtained with
moderate sizes of apparatus.
If the directions of windings are made opposite the two coils or conductors C
and S may as in Figure B, he connected in series or multiple arc and the current
led from a to b through them. They should in such case be wound to have equal
ampere turns capacity in magnetizing the core 1. When the coils are superposed they
will neutralize one another's self induction, but as they are separated the self inductive
kick or reaction will gradually increase. Wherever, then, in this description I have
or shall describe a closed band or circuit, it is to be understood that its place may
be taken by an arrangement such as is referred to in Figure 3, both coils being fed
from the circuit itself.
For evident simplicity, however, the closed band or circuit of Figure 1, and other
figures is to be preferred.,

page_text: It has thus far been shown how the invention' may be used aš a variable self
inductive coil or device movable by hand.
The same device, however, if the parts are relatively free to move, gives out from
alternating currents a very effective mechanical power or pressure in the nature of
repulsion which tends to move the coils apart. To obtain à movement of coil S, or
pressure tending to move it; coil C, has only to be put into an alternating current
circuit..
Further, however, I utilize this repulsive power to make the self induction self
adjusting, whereby I can obtain a constant current on the circuit of a set of lamps, or
the like, even though variations of volts fed to them may occur. Thus as in Figure 4,
the source a, b, of current may be one which varies in potential, the coil C, being put
in series with a group of lamps Li. L. In this case the copper band or closed circuit S.
is pivoted freely at P, and counterpoised to a certain extent by a lever and
weight K, or other device, whose effect may be varied if need be. Sometimes a
spring Z, may be used in addition (or even alone if of proper retractile effect).
Supposing that the qoil S, is set and so balanced that with a given current in coil C,
it is repelled so as to about half cover the coil C, (or less if the counterforces K, Z,
are properly adjusted) and that an increase of current due to increased potential takes
place in the circuit. Coil C, will more strongly repel circuit or band S, and the latter
will move partly up and away with the result of increased self induction in coil C.
which self induction if the parts are suitably adjusted will approximately restore
the current strength to what it was before the change. A fall of potential corrects
itself by working in the reverse direction.
The invention in this self regulating or automatic form may be used in such
circuits as are represented in Figure 5, where wires a, b. of constant or even some-
what variable potential difference feed in multiple several series of lights L, L', L2,
such as incandescent or are lights with alternating currents. Each series requires a
constant current and to ensure this even though a light be cut out in any series,
I place my automatic self inductors Figure 4, in each branch or series C, C¹, C²,
where it acts as described in connection with Figure 4, to preserve the current
strength: Of course the group L Figure 4, or series L, L, L, may be replaced by
single light or translating device such as an are lamp without affecting the result,
always assuming the potentials to be not so excessive or so feeble as to exhaust the
capacity for regulation to be found in the device. This has been indicated. at A
Figure 5.
To enhance the effect of my apparatus I sometimes construct it as in Figures 6
and 7, (Figure 7, being an edge view of Figure 6) I place outside the .ring I, an
extension 12, or accessory magnetic circuit or mass of iron preferably made up of a
series of plates piled together between which and ring I, the coil or closed band S
moves. The iron of I, is also extended outwards as near to 12, as will permit coil S,
free movement. The effects are the same as in Figure 1, only that the self induction
of the coil C, when coil S. is moved to the position shown in dotted lines, is much
greater proportionately than in Figure 1.
As shown in Figure 8, the outer iron ring 12, may be stationary, and the inner
ring II, movable around pivot P. Ring 1, 1, carries coil C, wound thereon, and
ring 12, 12, carries coil or band S. as shown. The coil C, is let into a notch in the
outer edge of core I, and band. S, into the inner edge of outer iron ring or core 1. 12.
Hence the iron of the two rings can almost touch, or be very close together. This
enhances the effects when the part. S. is removed from over the part C, by affording
an outside closed magnetic circuit irrespectively of the part of the ring I, which is
always enclosed by the band S..
In Figures 9 and 10, the part 1, is of iron as shown and carries oil or band S.
When the coil or circuits S and C, are separated as in Figure 10, a closed iron path
for the core I, as indicated by the arrows figure 10, is afforded the iron 13, operating
after the manner of an armature and comes into play to increase the effective self
induction of the coil C.
I have in the preceding figures shown my invention with a movement of the parts

page_text: around an axis. This is not essential. In Figure 11, the part S, is shown as having
up and down vertical movement, the iron part I being shaped accordingly.
While I have described my invention as adapted for use peculiarly with alternating
currents, it is to be understood that I do not confine myself to alternating currents
since similar effects may be obtained with intermittent or pulsatory currents, or other
characters of current, where the electrical energy is constantly and rapidly varied.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed as communicated to me
by my foreign Correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. An alternating current motive or regulating device consisting of an iron
core of endless form or in closed magnetic circuit, and two electric conductors
encircling the same, the parts being properly mounted as described to permit change
in the inductive relation of the two circuits or conductors, as and for the purpose
described.
Second. As a means of varying the resistance in an alternating current circuit, a
closed coil or band adjustable over or under another coil or band placed on a core of
iron of endless form and included in the circuit whose resistance is to be varied.
Third. The herein described alternating current motive or regulating device
consisting of a core on closed magnetic circuit, a coil or conductor on said core
placed in an alternating current circuit, and a second coil, conductor or hand movable
over the same core or closed magnetic circuit and having its electric circuit closed on
itself, as and for the purpose described.
Fourth. The combination with translating devices in an alternating current circuit,
of a regulator of the current flowing to the translating devices consisting of a reactive
an iron core,
coil connected to the circuit of said translating devices and placed on
and a coil or band on closed circuit and inductively related to the first named coil.
one or the other of said coils being partially counterbalanced and movable with
relation to the other under the repulsive action to positions where a balance of
repulsive and counterbalancing action may be established.
Fifth. The combination with the coil placed in an alternating current.circuit and
surrounding an iron core, of a second closed band or coil whose inductive relation to
the first is variable or adjustable, and an electric switch connected to the circuit of
the closed band or coil for opening the circuit of the same, as and for the purpose
⚫escribed.
or the
Sixth. The combination with the core and coil in an alternating current circuit,
of a second conductor or band through and beyond which the said core
magnetic extension thereof passes, and adjustable in its inductive relation to the alter-
nating current coil, and a mass of iron external to both coils or conductors and parallel
to or in close proximity to portion of the core beyond the second coil.
Seventh. The combination with two or more circuits in parallel, and cach containing
one or more translating devices, of a self adjustable reactive coil in each branch and
in the circuit with the translating device or devices of said branch for the purpose
described.
Eighth. The combination with a core and coil C, I of a closed circuit band or
conductor let into a notch or depression in the iron mass parallel to said core; so as
to bring the core and the part of the iron mass to either side of the closed circuit band
or conductor into close proximity.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London,
Agents for the Applicant.