Improvements in or connected with Electric Arc Lamps.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Apr., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Jan., 1893—Accepted, 22nd Apr., 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Arc Lamps.
I, WILLIAM HOPKIN AKESTER, of No. 11, Wardo Avenue, Fulham Palace
Road, Fulham, in the County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to that class of arc lamp in which a solenoid or an electro-
magnet is employed to assist in controlling or regulating the feed of the carbons
and the object of the present invention is to obtain a more sensitive device for
effecting that purpose.
For this purpose, I attach to each carbon holder or to a suitable part fixed
thereto a vertical slide or rod as heretofore proposed and, I connect the two slides
or rods by a flexible connection which may pass through the hollow core of the
solenoid and over a guide pulley so that upon the descent of the slide or rod of the
lower carbon the carbons will be separated, whilst upon the ascent thereof they
will approach each other.
The upper carbon holder and rod are made heavier than those of the lower carbon
so that when the gripping device, hereinafter described, is released, the superior
weight of such upper carbon holder and rod will cause the carbons to approach
until arrested.
Around the slide or rod of the lower carbon and supported upon a suitable spring
I arrange a box or case which I fill, or nearly so, with spherical pellets, and
upon the top of these pellets I place a disc or washer formed with a central
aperture to loosely receive the slide or rod.
In connection with the disc or washer I employ a lever which is mounted
upon an axis of motion and one end of which lever I provide with a set screw
to bear upon the disc or washer, and I connect the opposite end thereof with the
core of the solenoid by a suitable flexible connection.
By these means, upon the core of the solenoid descending, the opposite end of
the lever will be raised permitting the disc or washer to assume a horizontal
position thereby freeing the slide or rod whilst upon the core of the solenoid
rising the lever will press upon the disc and tilt or cant it until it. grips upon
the slide or rod and thereby arrests the further movement thereof and this
action is materially assisted by the pellets contained within the box or case,
which upon being displaced by the depression of the disc or washer at one side
will rise upon the other side of the box or case and assist the canting action of
the disc or washer, whilst, at the same time, they constitute an auxiliary grip.
When the slide or rod is gripped by the disc or washer and pellets as lastly
described the continued pressure of the arm of the lever upon the disc or washer
will cause the slide or rod to be slightly depressed thereby compressing the spring
and striking the arc.
In some cases, I arrange the gripping device in connection with the slide or rod
of the upper carbon, and I then fix the set screw on the lever at a point between
its axis and point of connection with the core of the solenoid, or, 1 may dispense
with the employment of the lever and in lieu thereof prolong the lower end of
the core of the solenoid and bend it outwards, I also invert the' box or case
containing the disc or washer and spherical pellets so that the disc or washer is
below the pellets, and I provide the end of the core of the solenoid with a set
screw, which, on the rising of the said core, comes into contact with the under face
of the disc or washer and causes it to be tilted or canted and the slide or rod
to be gripped and slightly raised so as to separate the carbons and strike the arc.

page_text: In this case the action of the weight of the pellets upon the upper face of the
disc or washer obviates the necessity for a spring.
I have hereinbefore described the employment of a solenoid for effecting the
purposes of my invention, but when an electro-magnet of ordinary form is
employed the set screw provided for the purpose of tilting or canting the disc
or washer is carried by the armature or some part moving in unison therewith.
Dated this 23rd day of April 1892.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Arc Lamps.
I, WILLIAM Hopkin Akester, of Crondace Road, Fulham, in the County of
Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention for
"IMPROVEMENTS IN OR CONNECTED WITH ELECTRIC ARC LAMPS," and in
what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascer-
tained in and by the following statement :-
My said invention relates to that class of arc lamp in which a solenoid or an
electro magnet is employed to assist in controlling or regulating the feed of the
carbons, and the object of the present invention is to obtain a more sensitive device
for effecting that purpose.
For this purpose,
I attach to each carbon holder, or to a suitable part fixed
thereto, a vertical slide or rod as heretofore proposed, and I connect the two
slides or rods by a flexible connection, which may pass through the hollow core of
the solenoid and over a guide pulley, so that, upon the descent of the slide or rod
of the lower carbon, the carbons will be separated, whilst, upon the ascent thereof,
they will approach each other.
The upper carbon holder and rod are made heavier than those of the lower
carbon, so that when the gripping device, hereinafter described, is released, the
superior weight of such upper carbon holder and rod will cause the carbons to
approach until arrested.
Around the slide or rod of the lower carbon, and supported upon a suitable
spring, I arrange a box or case which I fill, or nearly so, with spherical pellets,
and upon the top of these pellets I place a disc or washer formed with a central
aperture to loosely receive the slide or rod.
In connection with the disc or washer, I employ a lever which is mounted upon
an axis of motion, and one end of which lever I provide with a set screw to bear
upon the disc or washer, and I connect the opposite end thereof with the core of
the solenoid by a suitable flexible connection.
By these means, upon the core of the solenoid descending, the opposite end of
the lever will be raised, permitting the disc or washer to assume a horizontal
position, thereby freeing the slide or rod, whilst upon the core of the solenoid rising
the lever will press upon the disc and tilt or cant it until it grips upon the slide
or rod and thereby arrests the further movement thereof, and this action is
materially assisted by the pellets contained within the box or case, which, upon
being displaced by the depression of the disc or washer at one side, will rise upon
the other side of the box or case and assist the canting action of the disc or washer,
whilst, at the same time, they constitute an auxiliary grip. When the slide or rod
is gripped by the disc or washer and pellets, as lastly described, the continued
pressure of the arm of the lever upon the disc or washer will cause the slide or
rod to be slightly depressed, thereby compressing the spring and striking the arc.
In some cases, I arrange the gripping device in connection with the slide or rod
of the upper carbon, and I then fix the set screw on the lever at a point between
its axis and point of connection with the core of the solenoid, or, I may dispense
with the employment of the lever, and, in lieu thereof, prolong the lower end of

page_text: the core of the solenoid and bend it outwards. I also invert the box or case con-
taining the disc or washer and spherical pellets, so that the disc or washer is below
the pellets, and I provide the end of the core of the solenoid with a set screw,
which, on the rising of the said core, comes into contact with the under face of the
disc or washer, and causes it to be tilted or canted, and the slide or rod to be
grinned and slightly raised, so as to separate the carbons and strike the arc.
In this case, the action of the weight of the pellets and the box or case obviates
the necessity for a spring.
I have herein before described the employment of a solenoid for effecting the
purpose of my invention, but, when an electro magnet of ordinary form is
employed, the set screw provided for the purpose of tilting or canting the disc or
washer is carried by the armature, or some part moving in unison therewith.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood, and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings,
more full to describe the same
In this case, the action of the weight of the pellets and the box or case ovviates
the necessity for a spring.
I have herein before described the employment of a solenoid for effecting the
purpose of my invention, but, when an electro magnet of ordinary form is
employed, the set screw provided for the purpose of tilting or canting the disc or
washer is carried by the armature, or some part moving in unison therewith.
And in order that the said invention may be more clearly understood, and
readily carried into effect, I will proceed, aided by the accompanying drawings,
more fully to describe the some
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Figure 1 represents an elevation, partly in section, of an electric arc lamp, con-
structed according to the present invention, and with the globe removed.
Figure 2 is an elevation thereof, taken at right angles to Figure 1.
Figure 3 represents a portion of Figure 1 drawn to an enlarged scale.
Figure 4 is a plan thereof.
Figures 5 and 6 are similar views to Figure 3, representing slight modifications
in the arrangement of parts.
In the several figures like parts are indicated by similar letters of reference.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4, a represents the runner which carries the
holder a³ of the positive or upper carbon u', whilst represents the holder for the
negative or lower carbon 61. The currier or holder a³ of the upper carbon a¹,
which holder is insulated from the runner a by a mica plate or other insulating
material a*, is made heavier than the holder or carrier of the lower carbon, and
it is arranged to slide up and down upon two vertical side rods c of the lamp, in
the manner now well known, and the carrier or holder a³ is connected by means of
a rod a² to one end of a chain or other suitable flexible connection d, which passes
over a pulley d¹ mounted loosely upon a shaft or axle & carried in bearings
in a bracket d* from a tube e¹, connecting the two plates e e* of the frame of the
lamp.
Or, if desired, the bracket d* might be carried by the top plate e, or other
convenient part of the frame of the lamp.
The other end of the flexible connection d is attached to the upper end of a rod
rising vertically from the carrier or holder 6 of the negative carbon b.
Beneath the pulley d', and fixed to the tube el, is arranged a solenoid, provided
with a hollow moveable soft iron core f', through the centre of which passes freely
the rod a² and part of its attached chain d.
Around the slide or rod 6* of the lower carbon holder b, and supported upon a
suitable spring g', or it might be upon the end of a counterbalanced lever, is
arranged a cylindrical box or case g, closed at each end with the exception of a
central aperture to allow of the passage of the rod 62, and this box or case 9 is filled,
or nearly so, with spherical pellets 9, and upon the top of these pellets is placed a
disc or washer g², formed with a central aperture therein to loosely receive the slide
or rod 6.
In connection with the disc or washer g³ is employed a lever h, mounted upon an
axis of motion h', carried by a short standard h*, rising from the plate e*, and one
end of this lever is formed with a downward projection or hook h³, or it might be
provided with a set screw, which passes through a small aperture provided in the
top of the box g, and bears upon the disc or washer g' at one side thereof; whilst
the opposite end of the lever his bifurcated to embrace the tube e', and at its ends

page_text: <
is furnished with screw studs **, which pass through long slots e¹ formed in the
tube e¹, and screw into the core f¹ of the solenoid f, so that the lever / is pivotally
connected therewith.
The action of the mechanism, hereinbefore described, is as follows :-
==
The passage of the current through the coil f of the solenoid causes the soft iron
core f¹ to be more or less raised or drawn farther into the centre of the solenoid
according to the strength of the current, whilst upon the current diminishing or
ceasing, the core f1 will correspondingly descend, as is well understood.
When no current is passing through the lamp, the superior weight of the carrier
or holder a will bring the carbons a¹¹ into contact, and the hooked end 2 of the
lever h will be raised, permitting the disc or washer g² to assume a horizontal
position, as indicated in the drawings, and thereby freeing the slide or rod 6' and
permitting it to rise or fall; whilst upon the current being admitted, it passes by
the terminal and conductor f³ of solenoid f, and after passing therethrough it is
led by the conductor f" to the carrier a of the upper carbon a¹; it then passes
through the carbons a² 6¹, carrier or holder 6, slide or rod b³, and the frame of the
lamp to the terminal e*¹.
The passage of the current through the coil f of the solenoid causes the soft iron
"core f¹to be raised or drawn further into the centre of the solenoid thereby causing
the hooked end of the lever to press upon the disc or washer and tilt or cant
it until it grips the slide or rod, and thereby arrests the further movement
thereof, and this action is materially assisted by the pellets g* contained within the
box or case g, which upon being displaced by the depression of the disc or
washer at one side will rise upon the other side of the box or case 9, and assist
the casting action of the disc or washer g², whilst, at the same time, they constitute :
an auxiliary grip.
When the slide or rod 6 is gripped by the disc or washer and pellets g*, as ·|
lastly described, the continued pressure of the booked end of the lever h upon
the disc or washer g³ will compress the spring g' or depress the counter-balanced
lever, as the case may be, and cause the slide or rod to be slightly depressed,
thereby striking the arc.
The intensity of the current being now diminished, the core f¹ of the solenoid
will descend to its normal position and will thereby raise the hooked end h³ of
the lever hand permit the disc or washer g' to resume its horizontal position,
thereby again freeing the slide or rod 63, and "permitting the spring g' to re-assert 3
+itself.
In the example given at Figure 5, the box 9 is arranged in connection with the
rod a³ of the upper carbon a¹, and is supported in an inverted position, and with
capability of vertical movement by lugs e** projecting downward from the plate e*,
whilst the post or standard * is arranged upon the underside of the plate e", and
the axis of motion h' of the lever h is arranged at one end thereof, and the opposite
end is by a link connected with a bracket or projection from the core f' of
the solenoid f, the projection of the lever / being in this case a set screw arranged
between its axis ' and its point of connection with the link h³.
In the example given at Figure 6, the parts are similar to those lastly herein- 4
before described, but in this case the lever his dispensed with, and a projection or
bracket from the solenoid f, is carried down to support the set screw /*, which
bears upon the disc g² of the box or case g.
The operation of the two devices, lastly hereinbefore described, is substantially
the same as that described with respect to Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4, and will be readily 5
understood upon reference thereto, the weight of the box or case g, and pellets g*,
in these two examples, taking the place of the spring g'.
•
I have hereinbefore described the employment of a solenoid for effecting the
'purpose of my invention, but when an electro magnet of ordinary form is employed,
the set screw h², the purpose of which is to tilt or cant the disc or washer g³, is 5
carried by the armature, or some part moving in unison therewith; as will be readily
understood.

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 :-
:-
1. In an electric arc lamp, the combination of two carriers for the carbons
supported by the lower ends of suitable rods suspended by means of a flexible con-
nection passing over a pulley, a vertically moveable box or case surrounding one
of the rods, and filled with spherical pellets and held in its normal position by a
spring or weight, a loose disc or washer within the box, a solenoid and a stud or
projection connected with the core of the solenoid, and bearing upon the loose disc,.
substantially as herein shown and described, and for the purpose stated.
2. In an electric arc lamp, a regulating device consisting of a vertically moveable
box or case filled with spherical pellets, and held in its normal position by a spring
or weight, a rod passing therethrough and connected with one of the carbons, an
apertured disc, located within the box, and a stud or projection bearing upon the
disc, and carried by some electrically controlled part of the lamp, substantially as
herein shown and described, and for the purpose stated.
Dated this 23rd dex of January 1893.
VAUGHAN & SON,
Agents for the Applicant.