Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Oct., 1887
K
Complete Specification Left, 31st July, 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 19th Oct., 1888
[Communicated from abroad by CARL LUDWIG RUDOLPH ERNEST MENGES, of
86, Bali Straat, The Hague, in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Electrical
Engineer.]
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to the regulation of steam-engines and other motors for
dynamo-electric machines or electric generators.
In the specification of former Letters Patent dated 5th January A.D. 1887 No. 168
a method of electric regulation is described and it is stated that, in general, it is
preferable to combine the electric regulation with a mechanical regulation. The
arrangement for this purpose described in the said specification has the inconvenience
that the electric regulation can act only by displacing the whole mass of the mechanical
regulator, which evidently retards the electric regulation.
This inconvenience can be obviated by means of a special arrangement which
comprises the insertion of the electric apparatus between the mechanical regulator
(centrifugal governor or Watt's governor) and the apparatus which effects the
admission of the motive fluid (obturating valve, variable expansion, or the like,) that
is to say, in such a manner that the electric apparatus acts directly upon the valve for
the admission of the steam, gas, or the like, whilst the mechanical regulator acts
through the medium of various parts, the relative position of which depends upon the
intensity of the current.

page_text: This special arrangement which forms one part of the present invention is herein-
after described, that is to say; a centrifugal governor is arranged to act upon a lever,
the extremity of one arm of which is connected with the lever or arm of the obturating
valve through the medium of an electric device.
In this electric device the position of a movable part is determined by the intensity
of the current in the apparatus substantially as described in the said former
specification. The said electric device comprises for example, an electromagnet
acting upon an armature, the force of attraction being equilibrated by a helical
spring.
If the speed remains constant, the electric regulation acts alone and directly upon
the valve-lever without any change in the centrifugal governor; if the speed varies
from any cause independent of the electric circuit (for instance by reason of a decrease
of pressure in the boiler) the centrifugal governor acts alone, for the relative position
of the magnet and armature does not vary, and the action is the same as if the
governor-lever and the valve-lever were directly connected; if the two causes of
variation operate at the same time, the definitive regulation depends upon the
combined actions of the two regulations. The definitive regulation is accordingly in
every case similar to that which has been described in the said former specification,
with the difference that the electric regulation acts more promptly.
In lieu of an electric dovice causing a rectilinear motion, an arrangement can, for
example, be employed that varies the angular position of the parts. As the object is
to cause the electric regulation to act as directly as possible upon the motor, the most
suitable arrangement for accomplishing this result is employed according to the typo
of motor which is to be used.
For instance, the electromagnet is arranged to act directly upon a lever-arm, the
extremity of which determines the motion of the clicks or pawls of the admission
valves. To move the armature in this case, it is necessary that a certain amount of
work be done; the electric device is, therefore, in reality an electric motor, and it is
clear that it can be replaced (for example, if the resistance to be overcome is very
great) by any electric motor acting upon the mechanism for admitting the motive
fluid, by means of racks and pinions, screws, or the like.
The electromagnet is intercalated in the electric circuit as described in the said
former specification. If the entire electro-magnet is movable, it is necessary to cause
the current to arrive through sliding contact pieces or preferably through flexible
conductors. But, as it is the electric apparatus which effects the main regulation,
whilst the mechanical regulator acts only in consequence of variations of speed due to
mechanical causes, which variations are relatively small, the result is that the electro-
magnet oscillates only between very narrow limits. It is, therefore, sufficient to allow
a little play between the cores of the electromagnet and the coils, and to place the
latter in such a fixed position that they will only have an action upon the cores that
can be neglected. The position is, moreover, that which causes the maximum of
attraction to be exerted upon the armature.
If the core and the armature of the electromagnet are movable upon an axis, it is
only necessary to fix the coil in a concentric position in order that the attraction upon
the armature shall be absolutely independent of the motions of the core.
The coils can also be arranged in such a manner that the action upon the cores of
the electromagnet shall act in a useful manner for the regulation as in the device
described in the said former specification. This may be useful when the object is to
vary the speed of the motor so as to obtain a constant tension at the terminals of a
machine with electromagnets in derivation or derived circuits.
It is evident that the arrangements described are only examples of applications, and
that the details can be varied according to circumstances. For instance, a horse-shoe
electromagnet or a straight electromagnet can be employed; instead of magnetic
attraction, the repulsion of two polarities of the same name or sign can be employed,
which can be obtained, for example, by placing the lever-arms on the same side of the
coil, instead of placing the coil between the two lever-arms. · ·

page_text: When several dynamo-electric machines coupled in parallel in the same circuit aro
to move together, it is very difficult, as is well known, to properly distribute the total
charge upon each machine, and especially to maintain a good distribution if the total
charge varies.
It requires the sustained attention of the attendant to re-adjust as it were the
regulation of each machine when the total current varies, or else it often happens
that one machine scarcely supplies any current, whereas another is too much
charged.
It is easy to obviate this inconvenience by a special arrangement of my system of
regulation described in the said former specification, which arrangement is herein-
after described.
The apparatus comprises a group of machines (dynamo-electric machines with their
motors). Each governor of a steam-engine (or other motor) is provided with an
electric device arranged as described in the said former specification or as
herein before described.
If it is desired to couple one machine with another machine which is already in
action, then, commencing in the ordinary manner, the former machine is caused to
work upon a series of lamps (by closing the proper circuit) and then the machine is
regulated so that it moves exactly under the same conditions as the latter machine;
then the necessary connections are made.
The current of the two dynamo-electric machines is accordingly united, it then
bifurcates or branches into two solenoids arranged in combination with the governors.
From this it follows that the motions of the said governors will always be proportional
to the variations of the total current. Consequently if the lamps are removed from
the circuit, the two governors will be displaced by the action of the said
solenoids so as to allow each steam-engine to perform only half the work previously
performed, each dynamo-electric machine will therefore necessarily again furnish
half the total current in the circuit.
Although the governors are thus perfectly connected electrically, they are never-
theless independent in this sense that the velocity of each of them depends only upon
the number of revolutions of its own machine. Each machine therefore regulates
itself as far as mechanical causes of variations in the velocity are concerned, and
is consequently completely protected against accidents such as the breakage of
a belt.
In order that the current shall be divided equally in the two solenoids, it is necessary
that their resistances (including therein the wires which conduct the current) shall be
equal. In extensive installations difficulties may present themselves to the realization
of this condition. In this case it is preferable to employ another modification of my
invention.
In the arrangement last above described, the solenoid of the group of machines that
is to be coupled is connected with the dynamo-electric machine already in operation
upon the external circuit, whilst the connection of the solenoid with the dynamo-
electric machine of the same group subsists.
According to another modification or arrangement, only the former connection is
established, and the second is interrupted at the same time. In this case commutators
each with a movable lever having two insulated arms are employed. By turning
these commutators in the proper direction the required commutation is produced.
The dynamo-electric machine to be put in operation is then in connection with the
solenoid in the original position, but through the medium of a commutator, for the
purpose of enabling other machines to be added. Use is then made of the other or
one of the other commutators.
The employment of a series of lamps is not absolutely necessary although preferable
as regards the facility of coupling. However, the tension of the machine to be coupled
can very well be regulated with the circuit open so as to make it equal to that of the
machine in action. Then a switch in connection with the machine to be put in
operation is closed. At this moment the said machine does not yet supply currents,
it is therefore necessary to cut out resistances from its circuit and add them to that of

page_text: the machine in operation, so as to divide the current equally upon the two machines,
which is observed by means of suitable indicators, and at this moment the coupling
is effected.
The two arrangements last above described can be combined for example by using
two coupled machines according to the first of these arrangements in lieu of one in
the last arrangement.
It is not necessary that all the machines shall have the same power. In the first of
the said arrangements it is then necessary that the resistances of the solenoids connected
with the two machines shall be in inverse ratio to the currents in the said machines.
In the last of the two arrangements to the solenoid of a machine which is weaker than
the others, is added a resistance so that this resistance together with that of the
said solenoid, coupled in parallel, shall be equal to the resistance of the other solenoids.
The said resistance must only be added after the coupling of the regulators, a switch
is then closed for the purpose. This switch can if desired he fixed upon the axis of
the corresponding commutator in such a manner that all the coupling operations are
effected by the turning of this commutator.
Dated this 21st day of
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Regulation of Steam Engines and
other Motors for Working Dynamo-electric Machines or Electric
Generators.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT 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:-
This invention relates to the regulation of steam-engines and other motors for
dynamo-electric machines or electric generators.
In the specification of former Letters Patent dated 5th January A.D. 1887,
No. 168, a method of electric regulation is described, and it is stated that, in general,
it is preferable to combine the electric regulation with a mechanical regulation. The
arrangement for this purpose described in the said specification has the inconvenience
that the electric regulation can take effect only by displacing the whole mass of the
mechanical regulator, which evidently retards the electric regulation.
I obviate this inconvenience by a special arrangement of the electric apparatus
between the mechanical regulator (which may be a Watts' governor or other centri-
fugal governor) and the apparatus which effects the admission of the motive flaid
(which may be a throttle-valve, variable expansion, or the like), that is to say, in such
a manner that the electric apparatus acts directly upon the valve or other apparatus
for the admission of the steam, gas, or the like, whilst the mechanical regulator acts
through the medium of various parts hereinafter mentioned, the relative position of
which depends upon the intensity of the electric current.
This special arrangement is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which
Figures 1. 2. 3 and 4 are different views showing examples of the application of
this mode of regulation to a steam-engine.
Referring to Figure 1, a is the cylinder, the valve-casing of the engine. c is a
centrifugal governor which is arranged to act upon one arm of a lever d pivote i
at d. The extremity of the other arm of the lever d is connected with the lever or
arm of the throttle valve through the medium of an electric device e.
In this electric device, the position of a movable part is determined by the intensity
of the electric current substantially as described in the said former specification. The
electric device shown in Figure 1 comprises an electro-magnet e arranged to act
upon an armature ², the force of attraction being equilibrated or counteracted by a
spiral spring e.
If while the speed of the motor remains constant there is any variation of the
electric current, the electric regulation acts alone and directly upon the valve-lever
without any change in the governor e; it, however, the speed varies from any cause
independent of the electric circuit (for instance by reason of a decrease of pressure in
the boiler) the governor c acts alone, the relative position of the magnet e and
armature e not varying, and the action being the same as if the governor-lever d and
the valve-lever were directly connected; if the two causes of variation operate at

page_text: the same time, the definite regulation depends upon the combined actions of the two
regulators. The definitive regulation is accordingly, in every case, similar to that
which has been described in the said former specification, with the difference that the
electric regulator acts more promptly.
In lieu of an electric device for imparting rectilinear motion, an arrangement can,
for example, be employed that varies the angular position of the parts. As the object
is to cause the electric regulator to act as directly as possible upon the motor, the
arrangement for most suitably accomplishing this result is employed according to the
type of motor which is to be used.
In Figure 2 the electro-magnet e is fixed to the lever d and is arranged to act
directly upon the arm d', d2, which is movable around or pivoted at and the
extremity of which determines in the usual way the motion of the clicks or pawls g
of the admission valves in the well known "Corliss" valve-gear. To move the
armature (Figures 1 and 2) it is necessary that a certain amount of work be done;
the electric device e is, therefore, in reality an electric motor, and it is clear that it
can be replaced (for example, if the resistance to be overcome is very great) by any
electric motor acting through the medium of racks and pinions, screws, or the like,
upon the mechanisui for admitting the motive fluid.
The electro-magnet (Figures 1 and 2) is intercalated in the electric circuit as
described in the said former specification. If the entire electro-magnet is movable, it
is necessary to cause the current to arrive through sliding contact pieces or preferably
through flexible conductors. As, however, the electric apparatus effects the main
' regulation, whilst the mechanical regulator acts only in consequence of variations of
speed due to mechanical causes, which variations are relatively small, the result is that
the electro-magnet oscillates only between very narrow limits. It is, therefore,
sufficient to allow a little play between the cores of the electro-magnet and the coils,
and to place the latter in such a fixed position that their action upon the cores can be
neglected. This position is, morcover, that which causes the maximum attraction to
be exerted upon the armature.
If the core and the armature of the electro-magnet are movable upon or about the
same axis (as in the arrangement shown in Figure 2, it is only necessary to fix the
coil in a position concentric to this axis as in Figures 3 and 4, in order that
the attraction upon the armature shall be absolutely independent of the motion of
the core.
Figures 3 and 4 show this arrangement in side elevation and in horizontal section,
adapted to a device similar to that shown in Figure 2.
The coils can also be arranged in such a manner that their action upon the cores of
the electro-magnet shall be utilized for the regulation, as in the device described in
the said former specification. This may be useful when the object is to vary the speed
of the motor so as to obtain a constant tension at the terminals of a Shunt dynamo-
electric machine.
It is evident that the arrangements above described are only examples of the
application of my method of regulation, and that the details of construction can be
varied according to circumstances. For instance, in lieu of the horse-shoe electro-
magnet shown in Figure 1, a straight electro-magnet can be employed; instead of
magnetic attraction, the repulsion of two polarities of the same name or sign can be
employed, which can be obtained for example by placing the lever arms e and d²
(Figures 3 and 4) on the same side of the coil e' instead of placing the coil between
the two lever-arms as shown.
When several dynamo-electric machines coupled in parallel in the same circuit are
to move together, it is very difficult, as is well known, to properly distribute the total
charge upon each machine, and especially to maintain a good distribution if the total
charge varies.
It requires the constant attention of the attendant to readjust as it were the
regulation of each machine when the total current varies, otherwise it often
happens that one machine scarcely supplies any current whereas another is too much
charged.

page_text: It is easy to obviate this inconvenience by a special arrangement of my system of
regulation described in the said former specification, which arrangement is hereinafter
described with reference to Figures 5 and 6 of the accompanying drawings.
The apparatus belonging to the same group of machines (a group being a dynamo ·
with its motor) are indicated in the Figures by letters with the same indices. The
governor or regulator R of each steam-engine (or other motor) is provided with
an electric device S arranged as described in the said former specification or as
hereinbefore described.
If it is desired to couple the machine D' (Figure 5) with another machine D which
is already in action, then, commencing, in the ordinary manner, the machine D¹ is
caused to work upon a series of lamps L (by closing the circuit e¹) and then the
machine is regulated so that it moves exactly under the same conditions as
the machine D, then the switch is closed and the switch-plug immediately inserted
at K¹.
The current of the two dynamo-electric machines is accordingly first united at K
and then bifurcates or branches into the two solenoids S and S. From this it
follows that the motions of the said governors or regulators R and R will always be
proportionate to the variations of the total current. Consequently if the lamps Lare
removed from the circuit, the two governors or regulators Rand R' will be displaced
by the action of the said solenoids S and S' so as to allow each steam-engine to perform
only half the work previously performed; each dynamo-electric machine will,
therefore, necessarily again furnish half the total current, which flows now in the
mains, only.
Although the governors or regulators are thus perfectly connected electrically, they
are nevertheless independent in the sense that the velocity of each of them depends
only upon the number of revolutions of its own machine. Each machine, therefore,
regulates itself as far as mechanical causes of variations in the velocity are concerned,
and is consequently completely protected against accidents such as the breakage of a
belt.
In order that the current shall be divided equally in the two solenoids, it is
necessary that their resistances (including therein the wires which conduct the current)
shall be equal. In extensive installations difficulties may present themselves to the
realization of this condition. In this case it is preferable to employ the modification
of my invention represented in Figure 6.
In the arrangement represented in Figure 5, the solenoid of the group of machines
that is to be coupled, connected with the dynamo-electric machine already in
operation upon the external circuit, whilst the connection of the solenoid with the
dynamo-electric machine of the same group subsists.
By the arrangement represented in Figure 6, only the former connection is
established, and the latter connection is at the same time interrupted. In this case
commutators such as that shown at K¹ with a movable lever having two insulated
arms (indicated in dotted lines) are employed. By turning these commutators in the
direction indicated by the arrow the required commutation is produced. It will be
seen, in Figure 6, that the dynamo-electric machine D, is in connection with the
solenoid S' in the original position, but through the medium of the commutator K.
This arrangement is adopted for the purpose of enabling other machines to be added.
Use is then made of the commutator K2 as of the commutator K¹.
The employment of a series of lamps L is not absolutely necessary; although
preferable as regards the facility of coupling. However, the tension of the machine
to be coupled can very well be regulated with the circuit open, so as to make it equal
to that of the machine in action. Then the switch in connection with the machine
to be put in operation is closed. At this moment the machine D¹ does not yet supply
currents to the mains, it is therefore necessary to cut out resistances from the electro-
magnet circuit of the machino D' and add them to that of the machine D so as to
divide the current equally upon the two machines, which is observed by the lamp
indicators i, and at this moment the coupling at K' is effected.
The arrangements shown in Figures 5 and 6 can be combined, for example by using

page_text: two coupled machines according to Figure 5 in lieu of one in the arrangement shown
in Figure 6.
It is not necessary that all the machines shall have the same power. In the
arrangement shown in Figure 5, it is necessary that the resistances of the
coils SS, S, S³, shall be in inverse ratio to the currents in the machines D, D¹, D², D³.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 6, to the solenoid of a machine which is weaker
than the others, S³ for example, is added a resistance so that the resistance of a
together with that of the solenoid S³ coupled in parallel, shall be equal to the resistance
of the other solenoids. The resistance must only be added after the coupling of the
regulators, then the switch . is closed. This switch is shown apart in Figure 6 to
more clearly show the connections; it is clear however, that ii can, if desired, be
fixed upon the axis of the commutator K³ in such a manner that all the coupling
operations are effected at once by the turning of this commutator.
In this specification as in that of the said former Letters Patent No. 1687 no
description has been given of the special construction of the dynamo-electric machines,
because any suitable form of construction may be used, whether continuous current
or alternating current machines. It is obvious however that the apparatus to be used
with alternating currents should be constructed in accordance with the general
requirements of alternate current machines that is to say the electric as well as the
magnetic circuit should be subdivided by using wire strands laminated iron cores or
the like.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 wish it understood
that claim-
First. The above described method of providing for regulating the specil of a
steam-engine or other motor for a dynamo-electric machine or electric generator, by
the use of an electric regulator arranged between the mechanical regulator and the
throttle-valve or other apparatus for controlling the admission of the motive fluid, so
that either regulator can operate without affecting the condition or working of the
other regulator.
Second. The regulating device consisting of an electro-magnetic or electro-dynamic
apparatus arranged as described in the said former specification and inserted, as a
device for transmitting motion, between the mechanical regulator of the motor and
the apparatus which controls the admission of the motive fluid, in the manner and for
the purpose described with reference to Figure 1 or to Figure 2 or to Figures 3 and 4
of the accompanying drawings.
Third. For the employment of my method of regulation in connection with several
motors with dynamo-electric machines coupled in parallel upon the external circuit,
the arrangement of commutators enabling the currents of all the dynamo-electric
machines to be connected together and distributed in the regulating devices as above
described with reference to Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
Fourth. For the employment of my method of regulation in connection with
several motors with dynamo-electric machines coupled in parallel upon the external
circuit, the arrangement of commutators enabling the electric regulating device of a
group of machines to be coupled with the dynamo-electric machine of another group,
as above described with reference to Figure 6 of the drawings.
2011 1
CTI
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.