Improvements in Electelo Lighting Apparatus for Railway Oars.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Apr., 1895-Accepted, 15th June, 1895
PROVISIONAT SKECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electelo Lighting Apparatus for Railway Oars.
"1" WILLIAM BIDDLE, of 206-1/2 Chauncey Street, Brooklyn, in the State of
New York, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby declare 'the nature
of this invention to be as follows:
}
In car lighting by electricity several difficulties are experienced. The speed of
the car varies and consequently the electromotive force of the dynamo varios
correspondingly, and frequently a car is running at a high speed and the dynamo
driven thereby under ordinary circumstances will develop a corresponding increase
in electromotive force, and that frequently occurs when the lights are.not in use-and
the secondary battery is fully charged.
:
In my present invention I make use of a polarized compound switch, the object
of which is primarily to direct the current so that it may reach the field helices and
the secondary battery in a uniform' direction or polarity, and the secondary object
of such polarized compound switch is to break the electric circuit when the speed
of the car has lessened so that the electric energy developed by the dynamo has
reached a minimuin voltage and becomes less than that of the secondary battery, and
I maintain a closed circuit through the armature commutator and polarized compound
switch so that there will be a current developed by the residual magnetism of the
fleld magnet when the car is started.
The helices of the field magnets are compound and wound in such a manner that
the current through one helix tends to neutralize the magnetism set up by the
current through the other helix, and these two helices are in a constantly-closed
circuit, and the secondary battery is in a shunt to the field helices, which shunt also
contains a circuit breaker actuated by an electro-magnet the helix of which is in a
shunt to the armature, so that when the voltage of the dynamo sinks below-the
minimum point, the shunt circuit-between the helices of the field magnets and the
secondary battery is broken to prevent the discharge of the secondary:battery
through such helices.
"By this means: the secondary battery energizes the electric lights and when
the voltage of the dynamo is less than that of the secondary battery, the
circuit between the secondary 'battery and the field helices is broken, and the field
helices are wound with reference to developing a nearly uniform-current through the
armature circuit regardless of the speed at which the armature may be driven by its
connection with the axle of the car, and whenever the voltage set up in the dynamo
is in excess of that of the secondary battery the circuit through such; secondary
battery is closed for charging the same.
'
In one form of the present invention the current is rendered nearly uniformn as it
passes from the armature through the main and shunt circuits to the storage battery,
so that the current of the armature will be properly proportioned to the electro-
motive force of the field magnets to lessen or prevent sparking at the commutator
brushes, and the regulation is effected automatically so as to require little or no
personal attention.
n
1.
4

page_text: i
i
in the
Improvements in Electric Lighting Apparatus for Railway Cars.
I, WILLIAM BIDDLE, of No. 206-1/2, Chauncey Street, Brooklyn re
State of New York, United States of America, Engineer, do hereby
nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed to he
...particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statoment :-
:
the
In car lighting by electricity several difficulties are experienced. The speed of
the, car variçe, and consequently the electromotive force of the dynamo varica
correspondingly, and frequently a car is running at a high speed and the dynamo
driven thereby under ordinary circumstances will develop a corresponding increase
in electromotive force, and that frequently occurs when the lights are not in use and
the secondary battery is fully charged.
In my present invention I make use of a polarized compound switch, the object
of which is primarily to direct the current so that it may reach the field helices,
and the secondary battery in a. uniform direction or polarity, and the secondary
object of such polarized compound switch is to break the electric circuit when the
speed of the car bas lessened so that the electric energy developed by the dynaino
has reached a minimum voltage and becomes less than that of the secondary battery,
and I maintain a closed circuit through the armature commutator and polarized
compound switch so that there will be a current developed by the residual magnetism
of the field magnet when the car is started.
The helices of the field magnets are compound and wound in such a manner that
the current through one helix tends to neutralize the magnetism set up by the
current through the other helix, and these two helices are in a constantly closed.
circuit, and the secondary battery is in a shunt to the field helices, which shunt also
contains a circuit breaker actuated by an electromagnet the helix of which is in a
shunt to the armature, so that when the voltage of the dynamo sinks below the
minimum, point, the shunt. circuit between the helices of the field magnets and the
secondary battery is broken to prevent the discharge of the secondary battery.
through such helices.
By this means the secondary battery energizes the electric lights and when the
voltage of the dynamo is less than that of the secondary battery, the circuit between
the secondary battery and the field helices is broken, and the field helices are wound
with reference to developing a nearly uniform current through the armature circuit,
regardless of the speed at which the armature may be driven by its conuection with
the axle of the car, and whenever the voltage set up in the dynamo is in excess. of
ibat of the secondary battery the circuit through such secondary battery is closed
for charging the same.
In one form of the present invention the current is rendered nearly uniform as it
passes from the armature through the main and shunt circuits to the storage battery,
so that the current of the armature will be properly proportioned to the electro-
..motive force of the field, magnets to lessen or prevent sparking at the conmutator
brushes, and the regulation is effected automatically so as to require little or no
personal attention..
T
In the drawing,
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of the circuit connections and of the
polarized compound switch.
Fig. 2 is a section of the switch through the helices, aud
Fig. 3 is a diagram representing a modification.
i
iE

page_text: lights in multiple are in the circuit that is connected with the poles of such"
Recondary battery. The dynamo is to be of any desired character, and at C the
armature thereof is represented, and D represents the field magnet, the coil 2 of
which is of coarser wire than the coil 3, the sizes of the wires and the length of the
same being properly proportioned so as to set up in the magnet Dithe magnetism
required according to the varying speeds of rotation of the armature, as hereafter
set forth,
:
The polarized compound switch is made with a magnet E Figs. 1 and 2, which™
is preferably of iron or steel and permanently polarized, and there is around 'bue'
end of such inagnet E a helix F through which the current passes in oun direction,
as hereafter set forth, so as to maintain in the magnet E the necessary inagnetio
energy, and at opposite sidos of the magnet E there are electromagnets Gand H,
each magnet having a tubular iron core in which slidės a guide pin 6 connected
with the magnet E, such guide pin being of brass or other non-magnetic material,
and within the tubular cores of the electro-magnets G and Hthere are springs 7
adjusted in their strength by the screws 8, and tliose springs 7 act at opposite ends.
of the guide pin 6 and the screws are to be so adjusted that the magnet E when
not otherwise acted upon will remain in a central or neutral position between.
the two electro-magnets G and H, and upon the magnet E are circuit
closers 9 10 11 12 contacting with springs 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20, so that wlien
the magnet E is moved bodily in one direction the circuit is closed by 9 between 13
and 14 and by 11 between 15 and 16, and when the magnet is moved 'in
the other direction, the circuit is closed by 10 between 19 and 20 and by 12
between 17 and 18.
i.
I make use of a circuit closer 1 between the spring contacts 21-and' 22, such
circuit closer I being upon the armature K of the electro-magnet L, the helix of
which is in a shunt between the brushes 4 and 5 of the commutator, and I make use,
of a block of carbon 23 or similar material of high resistance between the contact
springs 21 and 22, so that when the circuit is broken by the spring 24 drawing back
the armature K, there will not be any spark between the circuit closer I and its
contact springs, the current passing through the block 23 of carbon or high
resistance material.
-
!' M
T
::
1
The circuit from the brush 5 passes by the wire 25 through the helix of the
electro-magnet L and back by the wire 26 to the brush 4, hence whenever the speed
of the car and of the armature C is sufficient to develop a current and magnetism'>
that will overcome the spring 24, the contact I will close the circuit between 21
and 22, which circuit passes from the + pole of the secondary battery A to 21 by
the wire 27 and from the pole of the storage, battery by the wire 28, field 'helix
and wire 29 to the spring 22, and à branch or shunt from the wire 29 passes through™:
the helix of the magnet Fand by the wire 30 to the spring 18, and there are cross
wire connections 31 32 between the springs 14 and 18 and 15 and 19 and the
helix 2 of the field D is in the circuit by the wire-33 from said field 2 to 14 and
by 32 18 and 30 to the helix of the magnet and there is a branch wire 34 from
the wire 26 which divides as a coarse and fine winding 35 and 36 that passes
through and forms the helices of the magnets G and H; the coarse wire 35
terminating at the spring 13 and the fine wire 36 terminating at the spring 16,
and from said spring 16 is a connection to the spring 17 and thence to the
wire 26, hence it will be apparent that the fine wire 36 is in a closed circuit
between the brushes 4 and 5, so that the current passes from 4 by 26, 37, 17,
16, 36, 34, 25 and 5, and the coarse wire 35 of the magnets G and H is in the
main circuit between 13 and 20 that is open when the magnets G and H are not
energized, and when the dynamo is at rest the circuit closer 1 is opened by the
spring 24.
It is advantageous to apply a small coil 40. around the field magnet D in a.
shunt between the brushes 4 and 5 so as to be sure of setting up sufficient magnetism
in the field-magnet D for starting the dynamo, thero being always a certain amount
of residual magnetism, and as the current increases by the increased speed of the
·
1

page_text: artmature, the current passed either from 4 or 5 according to the direction of rotation
of the armature through 25 Li and 26, and the magnet Leventually becomea
energized and closes the oircuit betireen Bland 22.,'
:
During this timeŝa current has been flowing through Gand H, by 25.34\36° 16′ 17
and 37 and 26,energizing the magnets G and Hy and the direction of the current
and-of the polarization of the cores of the magnets G nud. He will depend upon the
direction in which the car is travelling and the direction of rotation of the
armatures Cand according to the polarity, set up in the magnets Giand. Hilso
the magnet E which is a polarized armature to said magnets G and,H.will be
moved either in one direction or the other If it is moved so that the circuit
between 13 and 14-is closed by 0 and between 15 and 16 is closed by 11, then the
current from the armature passes by 25 34 36-13-9 closing the return circuit, from
the battery A by 28-2-and-38 and 14 and the current also passes by, 36 to 16:11 15
and by the wire 39 to its junotion 48 with the wire 27 where the current divides,
the principal, portion of it going through-and-charging the secondary battehy A, a
small portion going through the contacts 311 and 22, and-by 20.through the helix 3
to the storage battery, thus energizing the field helices 2 and 3, and the current
also divides passing through the helix F, which helix is of high resistance, so that
only a small portion of the current passes through the same,aud by the
wire 30 to: 18 and thence by 32 to .14 the circuit being, olosed through; 14. 13′
and 35, as aforesaidi
'
In this operationthe- belix F serves to maintain the proper polarity of the
magnet bar, E, and the current passing through the helices Gand H of the
polarized compound switch magnetizes the cores of G and H in such a direction.as
to cause the contacte, 9 and 11 to be firmly held against the springs; 13 14 15
and 16..
1
337, 17
If now the direction, in which the railway car is travelling is reversed and
the direction of rotation of the armature, of the dynamo is also reversed, the
direction of the currents passing through 25 and 26 will be, changed and the
polarity of the magnets Gand. H will be changed so that the armature magnet E
will be moved in the opposite direction to close the circuit, between-17 12 and 18
and 19 10 and 20 respectively, and the armature current will flow through 26 3
12 18 and the circuit will be closed through;30:and: F to 29-and-through 25 34:36
16 17 and 37 to 26 and through.35 13 2010 19 31 15 and 39 to 27, thereby the
outguing current will divide-at-48 as before and pass through the secondary battery
and through the helices of the field magnets without the direction of the current
being reversed..
So long as
the ciroult is closed by I between 21 and 22, the current from the
secondary battery will flow through 27 28-3-29 22 1 21' 27 back to the secondary
battery A, thus the field helix. 3, which is the main energizing, helix of the dynamo,
is.in ajebunt to the battery, and the current set up by the rotation of the armature
of the dynamo will be supplied into that circuit and traverse through-the storage
battery energizing, the storage battery, and where the lamps or other working.
devices are in operation in the working circuit of the storage battery, the current
will pass through those in, proportion to the relative resistances; the current
however passing from the point: 48 through 27 21 I 22 and 29 will pass-through
the field helix.3 in the opposite direction to that from the storage battery, and to
that extent the variable electromotive force of the armature will act to neutralize
the energy from the storage battery in the field helices and cut down the
voltage of the armature in proportion, so that-the-output from the dynamo will. be
equal or nearly so regardless of the speed of the armature, and the current set up
by the armature of the dynamo will also pass through the neutralizing coil-2, and the
greater the electromotive force of the armature in consequence of the speed being
increased, the greater neutralizing effect will be set up by the coil 2, thus rendering
the action of the dynamo uniform or nearly so regardless of the speed of the same,
the sizes of the wire and the lengths of the coils 2 and 3 being proportioned to effect
this object in the well-known manner.

page_text: In these: operations; the circuit from the brushes through the magnet: L is not,
interrupted; bint as soon as the speed of the armature slows down so that the electro-
motive force thereof acting through the helix of the magnet. L becomes, insufficient
to hold the closer I in contact with 21. 22. the spring, 24 breaks the circuit
between 21 and 22, and the battery circuit through 27 21 22 20.3 and 28 is broken,
thereby preventing the storage battery discharging through this circuit and allowing
such storage battery to remain effective in energizing the lamps or other devices B
in the working circuit.
It will also be manifest that the storage battery is in a shunt. circuit, that is.
closed in either. direction through 27 21 22 or in the other direction through 28,3
29-2-33 35 and 36 and that the current through-35 and 36-from-the-storage battery
is the reverse of the current passing, into.35 and 36 from the armature brushes,.
hence when the output or electromotive force of the armature is no greater than
the electromotive force of the storage battery, the compound polarized switch.
becomes inert, and the springs that act upon the magnetic armature thereof bring
such magnetic armature to the nentral point and break the circuit to the storage
battery that passes through such polarized' compound switoh, thereby the storage
battery becomes the regulator both of the polarized compound switch-and-of the
dynamo, and when the storage battery. is fully charged the dynamo ceases to act,
although the armature may continue to rotate.
At B Fig. 3 there are illustrated incandescent lamps in multiple aro. C representa
the. armature with the commutator brushes 2 and 3, and D the field magnet in-
which the main helix: 4 is in a shunt of the storage or secondary battery A, the
circuit to which is not broken; but more or less, resistance is thrown into the
circuit, as hereafter designated, and 5. is a neutralizing, helix oppositely, wound, to
the helix 4; which helix 6 is in a shunt between the commutator brushes 2 and 3,
and in this same shunt is a helix E-that acts upon the solenoid or core F of the
rheostat composed of the circuit changing levers GG and-the resistances H-H!,
and the circuit containing the helix-4 passes by a flexible connection to the lever G
and through more or less of the resistance H. according to the position of such
lever G in the rheostat..
The helix K acts in the: opposite direction upon the core F to the helix-E, and
this helix K is in the main circuit passing from the commutator brush 3; there
being a flexible connection between the helix Kand, the rheostat lover G, and, the
resistance H is in the main circuit and more-or-less of such. resistance is thrown
into the main circuit according to the position of the lever Q as moved by the
core or solenoid F under the joint action of the magnetism set up by the
helices E and K..
'
The three-point switch bars Land L' are pivoted at 6 and 7 and contact with
the circuit closers 8-9 and 10; the object of this three-point switch is only to give
direction to the current in passing from the dynamo-to the storage battery, so, that
the current will always reach the battery in the same direction regardless of the
direction of rotation of the axle and wheels of the.car.
The switch bars L and L' are connected by the solenoid or core-M- which is
polarized by a helix N around the core M, and this helix N is in the shunt circuit
containing the helix 4 of the field magnet, and the ends of the solenoid core M are
within the helices O and P which are compound wound and each contains two
wires, the fine wire being in a shunt between the brushes 2 and 3 and the coarse
wire helices being in the main circuit from the brushes 2 and 3 which main circuit.
passes through the switch bars L L to the storage battery.
It will now be observed that the helix N. which polarizes the solenoid core. M
is in the shunt between the poles of the secondary battery, and hence such helix N
always acts to magnetize the core M in the same direction, and the extent of the
current flowing by the wire 12 through the helix N and helix 4 and by the wire 13
and lever G, resistance H and wire 14 to the other pole of the storage battery will
depend upon the resistance of the helices and of the rheostat H according to the
position of the lever G, and the helices O and P are to be wound-in such a manner

page_text: that the current flowing through the same in one direction will tend to move the
solenoid core M and bring the levers L and Linto contact with 9 and 10, but if
the current flowing through the helices O and P is reversed in consequence of the
armature C being revolved in the other direction, the magnetism set up by the
helices O and P' will shift the three-point switch L L' from 10 and close contact
between 8 and L and 9 and L', thereby causing the current to reach the storage
battery in the proper direction.
'
"
The commutator brush 2 is connected with the switch bar L by the wire 16in
the main circuit, and the cominutator brush 3 is connected. by the wire 18 in the
main circuit with the helix K, and the wire 19 extends from the rheostat H' to the
helix O and thence by the wire 20 to the helix P, and by the wire 21 to the switch
har L'; and it will be seen that the current passing from 3 by 18, goes through
the helix K and by the flexible connection and lever G' through the rheostat H',
and according to the position of the lever G¹, so more or less of resistance will be
thrown into this main circuit. J.
;
If the rotation of the armature is diminished by the speed of the train
diminishing the electromotive force of the armature will necessarily fall and the
action of the neutralizing coil 5 will lessen and the magnetic energy will be
increased in proportion by the current flowing through the coil 4, and the helix E
will not act as powerfully upon the core F, and the movement of the lever G will
throw in more resistance from the rheostat Hin the shunt circuit of the secondary
battery, at the same time the main circuit passing from 3 through 18, K and G
and including the secondary battery, will not be materially changed because of the
increased magnetic energy in the field magnet K, and hence the liability to spark
at the commutators would be increased; the magnet. K however counteracts this
tendency by its superior force moving the solenoid core F and lever G', throwing
in more resistance by the rheostat coils H' inte' the main circuit, hence by this
arrangement as the armature shunt containing the helices 5 and E weakens, more.
resistance is thrown into the shiunt of the storage battery containing the core 4
and also into the main circuit of the armature passing through the brushes and
belix K by the rheostat coils H', thus equalizing the action and preventing sparking
at the armature brushes by the additional resistance thrown into the main circuit,
and as the electromotive force of the armature increases by the increased rotation
and the shunt helices 5 and E are more highly energized, resistance is thrown out
proportionately by the movement of the circuit levers G and G' until the
resistances H and H' are entirely thrown out of the respective circuits, but in
this operation the helix 5 will cut down the efficiency of the field magnet D
proportionately, so as to maintain nearly the same voltage in the main circuit
regardless of the speed of rotation of the armature.
The entire apparatus is automatic, or nearly so, but I usually provide a switch
at Q that can be operated by hand to turn on or off the current to the incandescent-
lamps B or other working devices.
2.
It is to be borne in mind that the sparking at the conumutator brushes is largely
due to the neutral lino of the armature not corresponding to the neutral line of the
field magnet because the increased spoed and consequent electromotive force cause
the neutral line or angle of lead of the armature to move in the direction of
rotation. By cutting down the amperes of the armature by adding resistance as
aforesaid the neutral line of the armature is caused to remain nearly stationary.
The core may be divided longitudinally into two bars, one carrying the pin
for the lever G and the other the pin for the lever G so that they may respond
according to the variations in the electric energy in throwing more or less resistance
into the circuits.
.
..
}
I prefer and use screws O P and springs at the ends of the polarized core M
that moves the three point switch, so that when the electromotive force of the
dynamo sinks as low as that of the secondary battery, the springs may move the
switch to an intermediate position and automatically break the circuit between
the battery and dynamo.

page_text: 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 :-
First. The combination with a dynamo-adapted to be run at varying speeds and
having reverse wound field helices and a secondary battery and working circuit, of
circuit connectious aud a polarized compound switch having contacts in a circuit
through one of the field helices of the dynamo to break such circuit when the
electromotive force of the armature falls to that of the secondary battery,
substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination with the armnature and reverse wound field helices in
a dynamo and a secondary battery, of an electro-magnet and armature closing the
circuit through the secondary battery and main field helices, the helix of the
circuit closing magnet being in a closed shunt between the commutator brushes of
the armature, and a polarized compound switch, one helix of which is in a closed
shunt between the commutator brushes and the other helix of which is in n circuit
that is made or broken by the switch, such circuit also passing through the
secondary battery and the neutralizing coil of the field helices substantially as set
forth.
Third. The combination with a dynamo having reverse wound helices, of a
secondary battery and its working circuit, an electro-magnetic circuit closer having
its helix in a closed shunt around the armature of the dynamo, a polarized.
compound switch, one helix of which is in another closed shunt to the armature
circuit and the other helix of which is in a circuit that is closed and opened by the
switch and contains the secondary battery and the neutralizing field belix, the
circuit through the other field helix being closed by the electro-magnet in
the armature shunt, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination with the armature and reverse wound helices in a
dynamo and a secondary battery and its working circuit, of an electro-magnet
having its belix in a shunt between the brushes of the armature commutator, and
a contact closed by the said electro-magnet and circuits containing the secondary
battery and field helices, whereby the reduction of potential in the armature causes
the contact to break all the circuit connections between the armature, the fields
and the secondary battery, substantially as specified.
Fifth. The combination in a car lighting apparatus, of a dynamo having au
armature that is driven at varying speeds, a secondary battery and circuit therefrom
through the field helix, a main circuit through the commutator and armature, a
rheostat and a helix in said main circuit and a lever actuated by the core of the
helix to vary the resistance by the rheostat in proportion to the electromotive force
developed by the varying speeds of the armature, substantially as specified.
Dated this 2nd day of April 1005.
BREWER & SON,
London and Leeds, Agents for Applicant.