IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU- FACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC CABLES AND IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES CONNECTED THEREWITH
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of 323 High Holborn in the County
of Middlesex, Engineer, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANU-
FACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC CABLES AND IN APPARATUS OR
DEVICES CONNECTED THEREWITH a communication from J. Burrows Hyde of
Brooklyn New York, United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th September 1883.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer " IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC
CABLES AND IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES CONNECTED THEREWITH." [a communi-
cation from J. Burrows Hyde of Brooklyn New York, United States of America]
This invention relates to improvements in underground and under water electric
conductors which consists of insulated and enveloped wires covered with an armor
of lead and my improvement first consists in the peculiar structure of such cable
that enables me to form two or more distinct cables simultaneously from the same
press and die, the peculiar structure of the cable affording me the largest number
of wires for the like proportion of lead with equal ductibility of cable; and it
consists in an economical form of the cable in the cross section; and in condensing
the lead armor by pressure rollers to insure homogeneity of the lead and to prevent
leakage and also in covering or coating the lead with non conducting adhesive
media as a protection to preserve it from decomposition and loss of conducting
power. It further consists in the equilateral configuration of the Cable approaching
a triangle with two of the edges rounded whereby an insulated wire is carried in
each angle and one in the centre.
Again (2nd) this invention consists in rounding two of the angles only in such
formed cable having one of the angles with a sharpish outline to readily distinguish
it from the other two by the fingers as an indicator to facilitate the finding of any
particular wire by counting from right to left therefrom and to avoid unequal
stretching of an outside wire. In winding the cable upon a reel, I twist the cable
from end to end, say one turn in three feet more or less which so changes the
positions of the wires that the stretching is equalized.
3rd The invention also consists of a novel arrangement by which the wires of
the separate commercial lengths of the cable can be united to form a continuous line

page_text: and in an air and water tight testing chamber of peculiar construction and arrange-
ment designed to be buried in the earth at proper intervals along the line to
facilitate inspecting and testing the wires when necessary and in another
construction of cable differing from the one before described in that its transverse
section presents a cross with four arms or branches the ends of which are rounded
outward, the fourth being pointed or sharp as a counter and the subtending angle
curved inwards each arm carrying an insulated wire placed in the centre space
between the four as shewn and in forming an exterior coating for preventing
corrosion of the cable which is both adhesive and pliable by combining finely
pulverized dry pasty matters with one or more substances as resin, gums bitumen
pitch & together with any proper oil or in place of the above the proper distillate
or residue of the petroleum in any proper proportion to form such coating. The
peat being in the condition of partially oxidized carbon combined with hydrogen
readily unites under heat with the ingredients named and form a smooth homogenic
compound. The lead should be free from admixture with zinc, tin, antimony
bismuth copper or iron as such impurities greatly add to the destruction.
Further the said invention consists in a novel system for manufacturing the
above class of cables or in other words cables which are formed of a series of fibre
covered insulated wires embodied within an armor of lead, lead covered cables, are
usually made by the same kind of machines or presses that are employed to make
lead pipes but upon which a peculiar and specially made forming die is substituted
in place of the annular die for the pipe-these pieces contain a strong lump like.
cylinder, which, the piston being withdrawn is filled with melted lead but under
great pressure from a hydrostatic pump is forced out through the die that forms the
pipe, or, if arranged, to make an electric cable the covered wires are conducted into
the die from reels and through the die in such way that they are embedded within
the lead and merge with it as a completed cable. Hitherto in any such presses the
shape of the cable and position of the wires therein has admitted of the construction
of but one cable at a time. But my improvement in such shape of cable allows
the forming of two or more cables simultaneously each complete with its insulated
wires, a facility due partially to the cross section shape of the cable and effected
by the construction of a compound die that may have either a circular or flat
exterior
The invention further consists in an improved apparatus by which I can make
cables simultaneously, it being simple and comparatively inexpensive in its
construction and requiring a minimum power to work it.
And the invention finally consists in a new combination of matters, form a new
plastic compound for insulating electric conductors.
In distilling petroleum, a variety of products are evolved as water and condensed
as fluid and so remain unless again heated whereas other products of the distillation
are more or less plastic and finally a residum is left in the distilling vessel that
closely resembles black glass from its color and lustre which together with its
fracture resembles what is sometimes called "mineral Asphaltum" and for con-
venience has been called "obsidine" Most of the distillates of petroleum have
been employed for insulating electrio wire by mixing the hard with the fluid
product and also with the soft or plastic residum.-The "obsidine" itself being a
good non conductor must necessarily be softened by the plastics or fluids to make
the compound adhesive and pliable for coating wire-hitherto it has been the
distillates only of petroleum that have been compounded for non conducting wires
whereas my improvement is found equal by efficient, far more economical and
under most conditions most convenient it being in combining the obsidine or black
residum with petroleum instead of with any one or more of the distillates, whether
fluid, plastic or otherwise when cold and for applying which combination of said
ingredients I employ peculiar apparatus to be described in connection therewith.
In the machine for making cables according to the invention there are pressure
rollers placed opposite each other in pairs, the bearing surfaces cut away to fit
the cables, surfaces and rotated by the friction of the cables as drawn through

page_text: them or they may be provided with toothed wheels upon their axles to be rotated
by power. In the construction of the cable first prepare the wire preferably to
winding them with cotton thread in the usual manner and saturate this covering
with an insulating medium or compound as asphaltum, boiled linseed oil and
waste rubber or other equivalent substances. Such prepared wires, wound upon
proper reels, are conducted into a press similar to those for constructing lead
pipes and which are usually employed for making lead covered cables for which
purpose the forming die c. constructed for the special cable to be made.
In the present invention is used a compound die that shall simultaneously
form four or five cables each with four wires constituting sixteen or twenty
wires, as the case may be, that pass from their reels at the same time into the
press and which operation by the peculiar structure of my cable enables me to do,
as I construct my lead covered cable (in this instance) with three sides,
approximating in their shape to an equivalent triangle with two of the angles
rounded off and the three sides slightly depressed or curved inwardly, the whole
being of such proportion as will admit of four insulated wires, one of such wires
being in each rounded angle and one in the centre of the three.
This described construction of the cable renders it very pliable and convenient
in laying down for rise. It will furthermore carry the largest practical number of
wires for its sectional area being at the same time the most share for
manufacturing
"
In forming a lead covered cable the melted lead is poured from a proper fount
into the cylinder of the press and forced therefrom through the dies by hydrostatic
pressure. Two difficulties are liable to arise therefrom-First the heat from the
lead may liquify the insulation and this in a fluid state be pressed from the fibrous
covering and accumulate until released by small openings forced through the armor
pin holes" which admit moisture to the impoverished fibre coating when the
cable is laid-secondly the lead during the last working of the charge having lost
much of its heat tends to solidification hence when pressed out will give a coating
inore or less granulated as lead manipulated by a plumber in making a "wipe
joint" To obviate this it is preferred to subject the cable as it passes from the
press or afterwards to a condensing process by compression rollers placed opposite
each other in three divisions or sections the faces of the rollers being made to fit
the surfaces of the cable at their points of contact and made smooth or serrated
as may be found preferrable and by proper gearing made to move with the speed of
the propelled cable
The compound cable should be coated with a non-conducting adhesive matter.
This may be done by drawing it through a sponge or other convenient application
saturated with melted asphalte and oil or any proper resinous media and should
be repeated where thickness is required to prevent its decomposition and
deterioration
A circular compound molding die or a flat sided compound die may be used each
being made for four distinct cables of the improved form with the projecting
indicator as described each cable carrying four thread covered insulated wires that
are drawn from rule through the dies with the lead and with which they emerge
covered from the press as complete cables
For uniting separate lengths of the cable a lead sleeve is used that may be
shaped to closely fit the cable shape all around and out to the proper length, one
end being square across and the other cut away at a slant or bevel
The sleeve slipped over one end of the cable with the bevelled end outward.
The lead armor and insulation is then removed to denude the wires to a length of
say three fourths of an inch more or less from each of the ends.-Small tubes of
copper or brass say one inch long more or less are then placed over the wires of one
end to half the length of the tube then the wire of the other cable inserted at the
other end and the end forced in. The outer end of the tubes may now be secured
to the wires by a touch of solder I next slide the sleeve over the joint leaving a
small opening into the sealing space. Into this space I pour any proper hot

page_text: insulating media until the space is filled. The sleeve should then be pushed over
to close the orifice to complete the joint, the ends of the sleeve may then be
soldered to the cable if thought necessary
An earthenware testing vault to be buried beneath the surface of the earth and to
receive the cables and wires for the inspection of their working efficiency is made as
follows perforations are provided on opposite sides of the vault the material
being thickened then forced on the inner sides to provide increased strength for
holding and surface for sealing the cables tightly therein. There is a cast iron
cover having on its under side a thin sealing ring which takes into a recess formed
on on inside of the top edge of the vault there is a cross bar of wood the end of
which cables under the projection formed by the recess before named on either
side to lock and hold tightly the cover through a headed bolt that passes through
the far end and the cover and secured at the upper end by a screw thread and
next and made air tight by an elastic washer of rubber or other substance. The
recess at the top should be filled with any proper plaster or fluid material
preferably palm oil for sealing the cover tightly-There are movable carrier plates
of vulcanite or other proper material upon fixed legs which take into fastening
recesses in the plate below. Brass tubes are secured to the said plates having
headed set screws at their either end to receive the conducting wires of the cable
fixed therein after being denuded of their covering The cables being passed
through holes where they are closely secured by any proper sealing medium
against air or water. This entire apparatus should be placed beneath the surface
of the soil and closely covered at necessary intervals along the cable train and its
locality clearly defined and described in a note book kept for that purpose
The non-sonorous nature of the lead particularly adapts it to the armor of
telephone wires. It may be placed but a few inches below the stone of a paved
street without affecting at all the transmission of sound through the wires. The
described cable is more pliable for the number of wires than any other readily
accommodating itself in a trench to any practical seniority or level or direction by
the smallest curves underground or under water. On land its trench never need.
exceed two feet in depth in which any needed number of cables may be laid direct
from a reel without any other preparation than a few inches of sifted earth or
sand as a bed and covering which is always preferable to have whether the cable
be thought dry or wet. In the apparatus for making the cable there are a pair of
iron rollers having three grooves cut to shape of the required cross section of the
cable there is also an adjustible covered triangle with removeable cover and
secured to base made to slide back and forth in a recess formed in the top surface
of the cable by an adjusting screw and carrying on the forward end an open font
for melted lead the forward end of which is flanged on each side outwardly and
curved to fit between the rolls when in position for working and adjusted sidewise
by the screws upon a recess in the top of the cable guide blocks are made for
the wires in four parts a cup and font vessel are fast in one piece and secured to
the trough by flanches and screw nuts When removed from trough the guide
blocks may be removed or replaced in the trough where they are held firmly by
shallow recesses at the sides The blocks are made in sections to facilitate
adjustment of the wires-The table is supported on a base secured upon legs-
There are straightening rollers for the wires and wire rests provided with tension
weights to keep the wires in line-There is also a Bensen burner and stand to
temper the heat of the lead font the lead being supplied from a melting vessel
A mixing apparatus is also used in this stove as a heating furnace of iron or
masonry with feeding door The chimney may be placed at any convenient
locality underground or otherwise, the melting kettle is placed in the furnace and
there is an apron under the bottom of the kettle to screen it from intense heat.
Around the exterior thereof and near its top a channel is made for a water seal
but in which I prefer to employ melted lead as lead and bismuth but water
saturated with a salt or other matter may be used A sealing vessel or water
holder is seated into the channel having adjustible pressure weights upon its top

page_text: and also a weighted valve, lock handles are provided on opposite side to facilitate
shifting it to and from its position. A vertical pipe is inside of and extending
above the top of the heating furnace into the vapor chamber by vertical and
horizontal direction downward and through the side of the melting vessel and
terminating within the furnace and having in its train a catch cock. A second
pipe commencing with a goose neck bend and also within and near the top of the
furnace also passes downwards and through the side of the melting kettle and then
upwards terminating in a charging vessel
In operating this apparatus proceed as follows:-In the melting vessel place
five to ten pounds of oxsidine or hard residum from petroleum distillation with
about an equal bulk of crude petroleum having filled the sealing chamber of the
melting pot with a strong solution of salt and water which is to be drawn off
and substituted by the melted metal when too hot. Now start the fire and
open a cock in one of the described pipes the vapors from the oil will escape by
the pipe into the furnace and burn there as fuel to heat the kettle. Meantime
the charging vessel should be filled with petroleum If the volume of vapor exceeds
the relieving capacity of the pipe it will be shown by the action of the holder at
any time the oil flow should be shut off and escape valves be opened When the
vapor of the first charge slack or cease to flow then the sealing vessel may be
removed and the contents of the kettle be incorporated by sleeving it with charge
so melted then replace the vapor vessel and turn on the oil gradually and repeat
as before until the melting vessel is about 3/4 filled The composition should be of
a tenacity that will not stick to the finger when it is cold and it should be cold to
retain the impression of the finger and thumb when pinched the proportions being
changed to meet these conditions according to the temperature of the external air.
In this condition of heated fluid the composition may be ladled from the melting
vessel into the moulding kettle or apparatus but a quantity sufficient to cover the
bottom to a depth of not less than three or four inches should be left in the
melting kettle to facilitate treating subsequent charges
The moulding apparatus consists of a kettle or tank of iron suspended and fixed
in a furnace having a protecting shield or apron to protect its bottom from intense
heat. In operating this apparatus a vessel is kept about three fourths full of the
mixture from the melting vessel above referred to A reel is placed in brackets to
rotate easily and holding thread covered wire that should pass easily through a
uniform gauge which wire is passed along a wheel at the bottom of the last named
vessel thence the wire passes upward and over a second pully at the top of a tank
thence through a thin perforated plate to strip off excess of retained composition
the plate being fixed to a projecting apron Thence the wire passes through a
conical perforated gauging die from which it is coiled around a storing reel placed
at any proper distance to insure cooling of the composition before winding up or
it may be passed through a cooling chamber. The tank is flat sided and made
oblong to allow the use of several distinct sets of the coating fixtures placed nearly
side by side on the same shaft. The different pulleys and reels having common
rods on which they rotate being arranged for easy removal from the tank with
their attachments. The sustaining shaft or rod having bearings at its ends in a
slotted plate fixed vertically on the ends inside the tank
The wheel is of a thickness sufficient for a groove for the wire to pass at least
twice around it has its outer edges slightly flatted outward as shown The bars
being thickened on each side correspondingly and having on each side but loose on
the shaft. A shaped plate sustains the end of its arms conically perforated metal
blocks in reverse direction to allow the wire to pass down and up and induce more
complete saturation of the thread coating to the wire. In working the tank should
be kept about three fourths full of heated composition, it follows that the wheel
with its attachments will be constantly immersed in the composition while in a
heated fluid state

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Alfred Julius Boult in the Patent Office on the 18th March
1884.
.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of 323, High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
Engineer "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MANUFACTURE OR CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC-
CABLES AND IN APPARATUS OR DEVICES CONNECTED THEREWITH "-A communi-
cation from. J. Burrows Hyde of Brooklyn, New York, United States of America
This invention relates to improvements in underground and under water electric
conductors which consists of insulated and emulated wires covered with an armar
of lead and this improvement first consists in the peculiar structure of such cable
that enables me to form two or more distinct cables simultaneously from the same
press and die, the peculiar structure of the cable affording me the largest number
of wires for the like proportion of lead with equal ductibility of cable and it
consists in an economical form of the cable in a cross section, and in condensing
the lead armar by pressure rollers to ensure homegenity of the lead and to prevent
leakage and also in covering or coating the lead with non-conducting adhesive
media as a protection to preserve it from decomposition and loss of conducting
power. It further consists in the equilateral configuration of the cable approaching
a triangle with two of the edges rounded whereby an insulated wire is carried in
each angle and one in the center
Again (2) this invention consists in rounding two of the angles only in such
formed cable leaving one of the angles with a sharpish outline to readily distinguish
it from the other two by the "fingers" as an indicator to facilitate the finding of
any particular wire by counting from right to left therefrom and to avoid unequal
stretching of an outside wire in winding the cable upon a reel The cable is
twisted from end to end say one turn in three feet more or less which so changes
the positions of the wires that the stretching is equalized
(3rd) The invention also consists of a novel arrangement by which the wires of
the separate commercial lengths of the cable can be united to form a continuous
line and in an air and water tight testing chamber of peculiar construction and
arrangement designed to be buried in the earth at proper intervals along the line
to facilitate inspecting and testing the wires when necessary and in another
construction of cable differing in the one before described in that its transverse
section represents a cross with four arms or branches the ends of which are rounded
outward the fourth being pointed or sharp as a counter and the sublending angle
curved inwards each arm carrying an insulated wire is placed in the centre space
between the four as shown and in forming an exterior coating for preventing
corrasion of the cable which is both adhesive and pliable by combining firmly
pulverized dry pasty matters with one or more such substances as resens gums
bitumen pitch & tempered with any proper oil or in plain of the above the proper
distillates or residue of petroleum in any proper proportion to form such coating
The peat being in the condition of partially oxidized carbon combined with
hydrogen readily unites under heat with the ingredients named, and forms & smoothi
homogenic compound. The lead should be free from admixture of zinc, tin
antimony bismuth copper or iron as such impurities greatly add to its destruction
Further the said invention consists in a novel system for manufacturing the
above class of cables or in other words, cables which are formed of a series of fibre
covered insulated wires embedded within an armar of lead. Lead covered cables
are usually made by the same kind of machines or presses that are employed to
make lead pipes but upon which a peculiar and specially made forming die is

page_text: substituted in place of the annular die for the pipe These pieces contain a strong
lump like cylinder which the piston being withdrawn is filled with melted lead
that under great pressure from a hydrostatic pump is forced out through the die
that forms the pipe or if arranged to make an electric cable the covered wires are
conducted into the press from reels and through the die in such way that they are
imbedded within the lead and emerge with it as a completed cable Hitherto in
many such presses the shape of the cable and position of the wires therein has
admitted of the construction of but one cable at a time But this improvement in
such shape of cable allows the forming of two or more cables simultaneously each
complete with its insulated wires a facility due partially to the cross section shape
of the cable and effected by the construction of a compound die that may have
either a circular or flat exterior
The invention further consists in an improved apparatus by which can be made
cables simultaneously it being simple and comparatively inexpensive in the
construction and requiring a minimum power to work it
And the invention finally consists in a new combination of matters to form a
new plastic compound for insulating electric conductors.
In distilling petroleum a variety of products are evolved as vapor and condensed
as fluid and so remain unless again heated whereas other products of the distillation
are more or less plastic and finally a residum is left in the distilling vessel that
closely resembles black glass from its color and lustre which together with its
fracture resembles what is sometimes called "mineral asphaltum' and for
convenience has been called "obsidine" most of the distillates of petroleum have
been employed for insulating electric wire by mixing the hard with the fluid
product and also with the soft or plastic residum The "obsidine" itself being a
good non-conductor must necessarily be softened by the plastics or fluids to make
the compound adhesive and pliable for coating wire Hitherto it has been the
distillates only of petroleum that have been compounded for non-conducting uses
whereas this improvement is found equal by efficient, far more economical and
under most conditions most convenient it being in combining the " obsidine' or
black residum with petroleum itself instead of with any one or more of its
distillates, whether fluid plastic or otherwise when cold and for applying which
combination of said ingredients A peculiar apparatus is employed to be described
in connection therewith
Referring to the drawings
Figure 1 is a view in cross section of one of the improved forms of cable
approximating to an equilateral triangle
Figure 2 represents an edge view of pressure rollers for condensing the lead
Armar
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the series of rollers with the cable passing
through them
Figure 4. is a view in cross section of five cables passing simultaneously through
a compound die
8 shows the cable a the wires f the insulation c the lead armor d the adhesive
exterior coating de the pressure rollers placed opposite each other in pairs the
bearing substances cut away to fit the cable surfaces and rotated by the friction of
the cables as drawn through them or they may be provided with toothed wheels
upon their axles to be rotated by power In the construction of the cable first
prepare the wires preferably winding them with cotton thread in the usual
manner and saturate this covering with an insulating medium or compound
as asphaltum boiled linseed oil and waste rubber or other equivalent substance
Such prepared wires wound upon proper reels are conducted into a press
similar to those for constructing lead pipes and which are usually employed
for making lead covered cables for which purpose the forming die is constructed
for the special cable to be made In the present invention a compound die
is used that shall simultaneously form four or five cables each with four wires
constituting sixteen or twenty wires as the case may be that pass from their reels

page_text: at the same time into the press and which operation by the peculiar structure of
this cable allow to be done as the lead covered cable in this instance is constructed
with three sides approximating in their cross section to an equilatual triangle with
two of the angles rounded off and the three sides slightly depressed or curved
inwardly the whole being of such proportion as will admit of four insulated wires
one of such wires being in each rounded angle and one in the center of the three.
This described construction of the cable renders it very pliable and convenient
in laying down for use it will furthermore carry the largest practical number of
wires for its sectional area being at the same time the most economical shape for
manufacturing.
In forming a lead covered cable the melted lead is poured from a proper fount
into the cylinder of the press and forced therefrom through the dies by hydrostatic
pressure Two difficulties are liable to arise therefrom First the heat from the
lead may liquify the insulation and this in a fluid state be pressed from the fibrous
covering and accumulate until released by small openings forced through the armar
as "pin holes" which admit moisture to the impoverished fibre coating when the
cable is laid second, the lead during the last working of the charge having lost
much of its heat tends to solidification, hence when pressed out will give a coating
more or less granulated as lead manipulated by a plumber in making a wipe
joint" To obviate this it is preferred to subject the cable as it passes from the
press or afterward to a condensing process by compression rollers placed opposite
each other in three divisions or sections the faces of the rollers being made to fit
the surfaces of the cable at their points of contact and made smooth or serrated as
may be found preferable and by proper gearing made to move with the speed of
the propelled cable
"
The compound cable should be coated with a non-conducting adhesive material
This may be done by drawing it through a sponge or other convenient application
saturated with melted asphalt and oil or any proper resinous media and should be
repeated where thickness is required to prevent its decomposition and dilenoration
Figure 5 in the drawing represents a cross section of a circular shaped compound
molding die and Figure 5° is a similar section of a flat sided compound die each being
made for four distinct cables of the improved form with the projecting indicator as
described and shown, each cable carrying four thread covered insulated wires that
are drawn from reels through the dies with the lead and with which they emerge
covered from the press as complete cables.
Figure 6 shows a side elevation in section of this method for uniting separate
lengths of the cable and Figure 7 represents an Exterior view of the same
c shows the Cable L a lead sleeve around the same that may be shaped to closely
fit the cable shape all around and out of the proper length one end being square
across and the other cut away at a slant on level as shown at L¹ L₁ L¹ represent
the ends of two cables to be united over one of which the sleeve h is slipped with
the bevelled end outward The lead armor and insulation is then removed to
denude the wires to a length of say three fourth of an inch more or less from each
of the ends as shown Small tubes & of copper or brass say one inch long more or
less are then placed over the wires of one end to half the length of the tube, then
the wire of the matching cable inserted at the other end and the end forced in as
shown at d in section The outer ends of the tubes may now be secured to the
wires by a touch of solder as shown at i next slide the sleeve over the joint as
shown at X leaving a small opening into the sealing space as shown at X'. Into
this space pour any proper hot insulating media until the space is filled The
sleeve should then be pushed over to close the orifice to complete the joint the
ends of the sleeve may then be soldered to the cable if thought necessary
Figures 8. 9 and 10 show respectively an exterior side elevation a central vertical
section and a horizontal section through center of Figure 8 as an earthenware
testing vault supposed to be buried beneath the surface of the earth to receive the
cables and wires for inspection of their working efficiency g. g. represent
perforations on opposite sides of the vault the material, being thickened at m m

page_text: then forced on the inner sides to provide increased strength for holding and surface
for sealing the cables tightly therein as shown at g₁ The corresponding holes on
the opposite side being left open to facilitate description q. shown a cast iron cover
having on its under side a thin sealing ring which takes into a recess u formed on
inside of the top edge of the vault as shown j shows a cross bar of wood the
ends of which takes under the projection formed by the recess before named on.
either side to lock and hold tightly the cover through a headed bolt that passes
through the bar and the cover and secured at its upper end of a screw thread and
nut and made air tight by an elastic washer of rubber or other substance The
recess at the top should be filled with any proper plaster or fluid material
preferably palm oil for sealing the cover tightly w. w represents moveable carrier
plates of vulcanite or other proper material upon fixed legs which take into
fastening recesses in the plate below. v. v show brass tubes secured to the
plates w. w and having headed set screws at their either end to receive the
conducting wires of the cable fixed therein after being denuded of their covering
The cables being passed through the holes g where they are closely secured by
any proper sealing medium against air or water.
This entire apparatus should be placed beneath the surface of the soil and closely
covered at necessary intervals along the cable train and its locality clearly defined
and described in a note book kept for that purpose
The non-sonorous nature of the lead particularly adapts it to the armor of
telephonic wires It may be placed but a few inches below the stone of a paved
Street without affecting at all the transmission of sound through the wires
The described cable is more pliable for the number of wires than any other readily
accommodating itself in a trench to any practical
or level, or direction
by the smallest curves underground or under water Its trench never need exceed
two feet in depth in which any needed number of cables may be laid direct from
a reel without any other preparation than a few inches of sifted earth or sand as a
bed and covering which is always preferable to have whether the cable be thought
dry or wet
Figure 11 is a view in cross section of another improved form of cable
approximating to a cross shape This form is also a most economical shape for
manufacturing and will also carry the largest practical number of wires for its
sectional area it admitting of five.
Figure 12 is a side elevation of the cable apparatus partly in section
Figure 13 a plan view of the same with the upper roll removed
Figure 14 is an end elevation
Figure 15 an enlarged scale of the wire guide block also showing an outline of the
cable shape a a' represent a pair of iron rollers having three grooves cut to shape
of the required cross section of the cable f' the groove or an adjustable covered
triangle with removable cover and secured to base f made to slide back and forth
in a recess formed in the top surface of table g₁ by the adjusting screw and
carrying on its forward end an open font d for melted lead the forward end of
which is flanged on each side outwardly and curved to fit between the rolls as
shown when in position for working are adjusted sidewise by the screws o. o upon
a recess in top of cable. e. e show guide blocks for the wire made in four parts as
shown at enlarged figure 1 The cap a¹ and font vessel d³ are fast in one piece
and secured to the trough by flanches and screw nuts as shown.
When removed from the trough the guide blocks e may be removed or replaced
in the trough where they are held firmly by shallow recesses at the sides not
shown in drawing.
The blocks are made in sections to facilitate adjustment of the wires and
removal. The table g² is supported on the base g³ secured upon two legs X-
represents the wires y straightening rollers and K wire reels provided with
tension weights h to keep the wires in line. m² represents a Bensen burner and
stand to temper the heat of the lead font the least being supplied from a melting
vessel

page_text: Figure 17 represents a sectional vertical elevation of the mixing apparatus
Qshows the heating furnace of iron or masonry with feeding door at . The
chimney being placed at any convenient locality underground or otherwise and
not shown in the drawing C represents the smelting kittle in the furnace
d' shows an apron under the bottom of the kettle to screen it from intense heat.
Around the exterior of C and near its top a channel is made for a water seal but
in which melted lead is preferred as lead and bismuth but water saturated with a
salt or other matter may be used f' shows a sealing vessel or vapor holder seated
into the channel having adjustable pressure weight from its top and also a weighted
valve in dotted lines are loop handles on opposite side of f* to facilitate lifting
into and from its position he shows a vertical pipe inside of and extending above
the top of a³ into the vapor chamber by vertical and horizontal direction downward
and through the side of C and terminating within the furnace a³ and having in its
train a stop cock as shown A second pipe 8 commencing with a goose neck bend
and also within and near the top of a³ this also passes downward and through the
side of C and then upward terminating in a charging vessel K.
In operating this apparatus proceed as follows. In the vessel C+ place five to
ten pounds of obsidine or hard residium from the petroleum distillation broken
into about egg size with about an equal bulk of crude petroleum having filled C
with a strong solution of salt and water which is to be drawn off and substituted
by the melted metal when too hot. Now start the fire and open the cock in h the
vapor from the oil will escape by the pipe into the furnace and burn there as fuel
to heat the kettle-Meantime the charging vessel should be filled with petroleum
If the volume of vapor shall exceed the relieving capacity of the pipe it will be
shown by the action of the bolder fat any time the oil flow from K should be
shut off and the escape valves in f* be opened. When the vapors of the first charge
slack or cease to flow the sealing vessel may be removed and the contents of the
kettle be incorporated by stirring it with charge so melted replace the vessel f
and turn on the oil in K gradually and repeat as before until the vessel C is
about 3/4 filled The composition should be of a tenacity that will not stick to the
fingers when it is cold and it should be soft to retain the impression of the finger
and thumb when pinched the proportions being changed to meet those conditions
according to the temperature of the external air In this condition of heated fluid
the composition may be ladled from the vessel Cinto the moulding kettle or
apparatus but a quantity sufficient to cover the bottom of a depth of not less than
three or four inches should be left in the melting kettle to facilitate treating
subsequent charges.
Figure 18 represents a vertical section of the moulding apparatus consisting as
with figure 17 of a kettle or tank of iron i suspended and fixed in a furnace m²
having a protecting shield or apron n² to protect its bottom from intense heat
In operating the apparatus the vessel is kept about three fourths full of the
mixture from H.
Figure 17. o shows a reel placed in brackets to rotate easily and holding thread
covered wire for that should pass readily through a uniform gauge which wire is
passed over a wheel at the bottom of thence the wire passes upward and over
a second pulley Q at the top of the tank i thence through a thin perforated plate f¹
to strip off excess of retained composition the plate being fixed to the projecting
apron Thence the wire passes through a conical perforated gauging die n
also fixed to us from which it is coiled around a storing reel placed at any
proper distance to insure cooling of the composition before winding up or it may
be passed through a coating chamber. The tank is flat sided and made obling to
use several distinct sets of the coating fixtures placed nearly side by side on the
same shaft The different pulleys and reels having common rods on which they
rotate pulleys being arranged for easy removal from the tank with their
attachments. The sustaining shaft or rod having bearing at its ends in a slotted
plate fixed vertically on the ends inside the tank as shown by dotted lines
The wheel being of thickness sufficient for a groove for the wire to pass at

page_text: least twice around, it has its outer edges slightly faced outward as shown at
Figure 17. The bars being thickened on each side corresponding and having on
each side but loose on the shaft a shaped plate to sustain at the end of its arms
conically perforated metal blocks y. z. in reverse direction to allow the wire to pass
down and up as shown and induce more complete saturation of the thread coating
to the wire In working the tank should be kept about three fourths full of
heated composition it follows that the wheel r with its attachments will be
constantly immersed in the composition while in a heated fluid state.
Having now described this invention and the manner of performing the same as
communicated to me by my foreign correspondent what I claim and desire to
protect under the hereinbefore in part recited Letters patent is :-
1. An electric cable comprising a body of metal formed with three concave sides
the body approximating in cross-section to an equilateral triangle, as described
having within said body insulated electrical conductors, for the purpose set forth
2 As an article of trade and manufacture a compound electric cable having three
equal sides with two angles rounded, and an insulated conducting wire embedded
within each angle substantially as described.
3 The method herein described of solidifying the lead armor of an electric
cable, which consists in passing the cable through pressure rollers such pressure
being applied simultaneously as the cable emerges from the press or from reels
substantially as described
4. A lead covered electric cable having an exterior covering or coating of non-
conducting adhesive medium to protect the lead against decomposition and
consequent entrances of imoisture to the inclosed wires as described
5. An electric lead covered cable triangular in cross section and having
conducting wires embedded therein the outer surface of said cable being roughened
or serrated and coated with an adhesive material as set forth
6. An improvement in the art of constructing electric conductors the forming of
a three sided cable as described which consists in forming two or more of said
cables simultaneously by one operation, from one and the same compound die
substantially as described
7. The method herein described of uniting commercial lengths or sections of a
lead covered cable which consists in denuding the wires by removing the lead and
insulating thread to a proper distance from the end placing on one end of the
cable a leaden tube cut away as described and also on each pair of matched rims a
copper tube as shown then pushing forward the lead sleeve so as to nearly cover
the intervening recess and then through the opening left thereby pouring a melted
insulating material and then closing said arifices by the sleeve and soldering its
end to the cable as set forth
8 In the composition of an insulated coating of adhesive material for electric
cables the admixture of finely pulverized dry pasty matters with resinous gummy or
pitchy matters, distillates or residue from petroleum or other non-conducting
adhesive material substantially as described
9. In a three sided cable as described the employment of one of the angles
formed by two sides of such cable as an indicating counter for the enclosed
wires, particularly when said cable is twisted in the manner and for the purpose
Bet forth.
10. In a testing chamber for an electric cable or wire conductor the combination
of a moulded vessel of earthenware, said vessel being provided with a sealing recess
at the top as described and fitted with any proper sealing medium to receive &
flanch-like rim on the lower side of the cover which is secured to the vessel by the
headed bolt the screw nut and cross piece all constructed and arranged in the
manner and for the purpose substantially as described
11. An electric cable comprising a body of lead or other proper material which
cable in its cross section approximates to a cross shape having four projecting arms
with four intervening concave sides and having within each body insulated electric
conductors as described

page_text: -
12 The combination in an apparatus for making lead cable consisting of the
removable and adjustable trough with its rollers substantially as described
13. The combination of the trough the rollers the straightening rollers and the
reels with tension weight as described
14. The combination in an apparatus for making lead cable consisting of the
movable adjustable trough the font d' with its outlet for the lead adapted to fit
between the rollers for delivery of the lead to the grooves as described
15 In an apparatus for making lead cable consisting of the trough and its bed,
said trough having a font provided with an extended outlet for delivering the lead
to the rollers in combination with a heating medium arranged below the trough
preferably beneath the front whereby the temperature of the lead may be regulated
as shown and described
16. The combination of the trough and the lead font with the sectional movable
dies for guiding the wires to the rollers independent of the movement of the trough
thereby each wire is guided centrally through its proper ring of center of the cable
as may be substantially as shown and described
17. The insulating composition for electric uses composed of the hard bituminous
residum from petroleum distillation melted and combined with natural petroleum
or mineral oil substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
18. An insulating compound for covering telephone wires composed of petroleum
or mineral oils combined under heat in a closed vessel with the bituminous residum
aggregating from distilling petroleum substantially as described
19. In the process of combining the residue of petroleum as described with
crude petroleum the melting and mixing vessel C combined with the sealing cover
seal pipes h³h and charger with their respective attachments substantially as
described
20. In the process of coating fibre covered wires for electrical use with the
non-conducting composition described, the described apparatus consisting of the
tank with its submerge wheel r attached arms and cones y. z. in combination
with the strip plate gauge cones and reel o when constructed arranged and operated
substantially as set forth
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my hand
and seal this eighteenth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and eighty four.