Improvements in Means for Regulating or Controlling Electric Currents.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 10th Apr., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 9th Jan., 1890-Accepted, 15th Feb., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Regulating or Controlling Electric
Currents.
I, CHARLES RICHARDS HEAP of 4 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London,
Electrician do hereby declare the nature of this Invention. to be as follows:-
My Invention has for its object to provide simple and efficient means for regulating
or controlling electric currents in such manner that the current in the working
circuit is supplied in proper relation to varying requirements of the said circuit.
According to my Invention I provide a pair of rotatable friction discs between which
is situated a pulley upon some part deriving motion from the generating machine or
from the axis of the machine itself the said discs being carried by or connected with a
solenoid or electro magnet included in the working circuit so that when the current is
in its normal condition the discs are both of thom out of contact with the said pulley
but when the current decreases or increases beyond the normal one or the other of the
said discs is brought into contact with the pulley and motion in one or other direction
is given through the one or the other of the said dises so as to actuate a device for
increasing or reducing the current to its proper normal condition relatively to tho
requirements, for the time being of the working circuit.
Whilst not necessarily limiting myself to precise details I will describe an arrango-
ment according to my Invention.
I fix upon an extension of the axis of the dynamo machine a pulley which is therefore
constantly rotating whilst the machine is in operation. This pulley is situated between
two friction discs which may take the form of wide rims or flanges of a wheel mounted
horizontally upon a vertical shaft capable of rotating in bearings in a bracket carried
by the framing of the machine. This shaft has affixed in line with it the core of a
solenoid coil in the working circuit and there is a spring or counterweight of such
power that when the pull on the solenoid is exerted by a current in the working
circuit of the desired normal condition the discs are each of them out of contact with
the rotating pulley on the axis of the dynamo. The shaft to which the discs and
solenoid core are attached is provided with a pinion which gears with another pinion
on a small counter shaft or spindle upon which cords are wonnd so that when the
spindle is rotated in one direction a pull is exerted on one of the cords and when the
spindle is rotated in the opposite direction a pull is exerted on the other of the cords.
These cords are respectively connected with the brushes of the commutator of the
dynamo machine.
When the current in the working circuit decreases below the normal the spring
overcomes the pull of the current upon the solenoid core and the shaft rises so that
the lower disc comes into contact with the rotating pulley aforesaid and this through
the disc shaft pinions and spindle aforesaid exerts a pull on the cord so as to move the
brushes into such a position that the current supplied to the working circuit is
increased until the balance between its pull on the solenoid core and the aforesaid
spring is restored. When the current in the working circuit increases to above the
normal the pull thereof upon the solenoid causes the upper disc to bear on the
aforesaid pulley and thus rotation is given to the shaft in a direction the reverse of
that given when the current decreases and therefore a pull is exerted upon the other
of the cords and the brushes are moved into such a position that the current supplied
to the working circuit is decreased until the balance between its pull on the solenoid
core and the aforesaid core is restored.
I have referred to the regulating of the current being effected through the brushes
but it may be effected in other desired way for instance by moving into or out of the
circuit resistances in the working circuit. I prefer to place the regulating device ou

page_text: the generating dynamo as described but it may if desired be situated at any other part
of the circuit and movement be given to the pulley between the discs by a motor
driven by the current or in any other convenient manner.
Dated thol 1
1000
J. H. JOHNSON & Co.,
47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Means for Regulating or Controlling Electric
Currents.
I CHARLES RICHARDS HEAP of 4 Queen Victoria Street in the City of London,
Electrician 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 :-
My Invention has for its object to provide simple and efficient means for regulating
or controlling electric currents in such manner that the current in the working circuit
is supplied in proper relation to varying requirements of the said circuit.
According to my Invention I provide a pair of rotatable friction discs between
which is situated a pulley upon some part deriving motion from the generating
machine or from the axis of the machine itself the said discs being carried by or
connected with a solenoid or electro magnet included in the working circuit so that
when the current is in its normal condition the discs are both of them out of contact
with the said pulley but when the current decreases or increases beyond the normal
one or the other of the said discs is brought into contact with the pulley and motion
in one or other direction is given through the one or the other of the said discs so as
to actuate a device for increasing or reducing the current to its proper normal
condition relatively to the requirements for the time being of the working circuit.
Whilst not necessarily limiting myself to precise details I will describe with
reference to the accompanying drawings arrangements according to my Invention.
With reference to the arrangement illustrated by Figure 1 I fix upon an extension of
the axis A of a dynamo machine a pulley B which is therefore constantly rotating
whilst the machine is in operation. This pulley is situated between two friction
discs CC which may be separate discs or they may constitute wide rims or flanges of
a wheel (as shewn) mounted horizontally upon a vertical shaft D capable of rotating
in bearings E E in a bracket carried by the framing F of the machine."
The shaft D has affixed in line with it the core of a solenoid coil G in the working
circuit and there is a spring H (or counterweight) of such power that when the pull
on the solenoid is exerted by a current in the working circuit of the desired norinal
condition the discs C and are each of them out of contact with the rotating pulley B
on the axis of the dynamo. The shaft to which the discs and solenoid core are
attached is provided with a pulley I round which passes an endless cord or band K
which also passes round a pulley L carried on the commutator brush shifter so that
when the shaft D is rotated in one direction the commutator brushes are moved so as
to increase the current in the main circuit and when the shaft is rotated in the opposite
direction the current is reduced.
For example when the current in the working circuit decreases below the normal
the spring H overcomes the pull of the current upon the core of the solenoid G and
consequently the shaft D rises so that the lower disc (³ comes into contact with the
rotating pulley B and this through the shaft D and the endless band or cord K moves
the brushes into such a position that the current supplied to the working circuit is
increased until the balance between its pull on the solenoid core and the spring H is
restored. When the current in the working circuit increases to above the normal the
pull thereof upon the core of the solenoid G causes the upper disc C to bear on the
pulley B and thus rotation is given to the shaft D in a direction the reverse of that
given when the current decreases and therefore the endless band or cord K will.cause
the commutator brushes to be moved into such a position that the current supplied to

page_text: the working circuit is decreased until the balance between its pull on the solenoid
core and the spring H is restored.
Figures 2 and 3 are views at right angles to each other of another arrangement in
which the friction pulley B instead of being mounted on an extension of the dynamo
axis is fixed on a short axle D' carried in arms a of a compound three armed lever X
the fulcrum of which lever is on a bracket Y carried on an extension of the axis of
the dynamo.
The pulley B is rotated by means of an endless band or cord a passing round a
pulley b on the dynamo axis and round another pulley 6 fast on the axle carrying
the pulley B. One arm c of the compound lever X is attached to or acted upon by
the core d of the solenoid G whilst the other arme of the lever is connected to a
spring H or counter weight of a strength to maintain the pulley B out of contact with
other friction wheels C C when the strength of the current in the working circuit is
normal.
The pulley B is situated between the peripheries of the two pulleys C C². These
pulleys are carried on short axles ff mounted in bearings in the bracket Y and have
fast thereon pinions g g gearing with a spur wheel fixed on a shaft 2 on which
there is also keyed a pinion i gearing with a spur wheel j attached to or formed on the
brush shifter k of the dynamo commutator.
When the strength of the current in the working circuit is normal the pulley B is
out of contact with the pulleys C and rotates without affecting any part of the
apparatus but when the strength of the current decreases below the normal the spring H
overcoming the pull of the solenoid core d turns the compound lever X on its fulcrum
causing the pulley B to bear against the periphery of the pulley C thereby imparting
rotation to the saine which motion is transmitted through the gearing g, h, g³ to the
pulley C and through the gearing ghi and to the brush shifter k so as to move
the dynamo brushes into position to increase the strength of the current to its normal
condition.
In like manner when the strength of the current in the working circuit increases
above the normal the attraction of the solenoid core d will overbalance the strength
of the spring H and cause the lever X to turn on its fulcrum in the reverse direction
and bring the pulley B into contact with the pulley C motion thus being given to
the pulleys CC and through the gearing ghi and j to the brush shifter k in the
reverse direction so as to move the dynamo brushes into position to decrease the
strength of the current in the circuit to the normal condition."
In the arrangement illustrated by Figure 4 a frame Y is mounted so as to be capable
of being turned on an extension of the dynamo axis on which extension there is fixed
a spur pinion or friction wheel b gearing with a similar wheel C carried on the frame Y
which latter wheel is also in gear with another wheel C also carried on the said
frame so that when the machine is working, these wheels are constantly rotating. On
the frame Y is an arm Y attached to or acted upon by the core d of the solenoid G
which, as in the arrangements herein before described, is in the main circuit. When
the strength of the current on the main circuit exceeds the normal the solenoid core d
is drawn into the solenoid coil against the strength of the spring B thereby turning
the frame Y on its fulcrum and causing the wheel to engage with and impart
rotation to a wheel B on the axis of which there is a pinion g which transmits motion
through the gearing hij to the dynamo brush shifter so as to move the brushes
into position to reduce the strength of the current in the circuit to its normal
condition.
When the strength of the current in the circuit is below the normal the solenoid
core will fall assisted by the spring H and cause the frame Y to turn on its fulcrum
so as to bring the wheel C into gear with the wheel B and thus transmit motion to
the said wheel and through the gearing g h i j to the brush shifter in the reverse
direction so as to move the dynamo brushes into position to increase the strength of
the current to its normal condition whereupon both wheels CC will be out of
engagement with the wheel B which will remain stationary until the normal strength
of the current is disturbed.

page_text: I have described the regulating of the current as being effected through the brushes
it may however be effected in any other desired way for instance by moving resistances
into or out of the working circuit or into or out of the circuit of the dynamo
winding. The governing devices hereinbefore described may be similarly employed
for operating the brushes in connection with electric motors, for regulating the speed
thereof.
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.
1st. In means for regulating or controlling electric currents, a device consisting of
an arrangement of discs or their equivalent, deriving motion from the generating
machine so as to move into and out of position mechanism for increasing or decreasing
as required the strength of the current in the circuit substantially as hereinbefore
described.
2nd. In means for controlling currents to an electric motor a device consisting of
an arrangement of discs or their equivalent deriving motion from the motor to be
regulated, so as to move the brushes of the motor into position to regulate the speed
thereof substantially as hereinbefore described.
3rd. In means for regulating or controlling electric currents the combination with
a friction pulley on the axis of the generator, of a pair of discs fast on a shaft which
is geared with the brush shifter of the generator, and which is operated by the motions
of a solenoid core or the like in the working circuit so as to bring one or other as
required of the discs into contact with the friction pulley on the axis of the generator
and thereby cause the shaft carrying the discs, to be rotated and impart motion to the
brush shifter so as to move the brushes into position to increase or decrease as required
the strength of the current substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to
Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.
4th. In apparatus for regulating or controlling electric currents a friction pulley
carried in an oscillating lever and receiving rotary motion from the generating
machine the lever being operated by the core of a solenoid or the like in the working
circuit so as to cause the friction pulley carried by the lever to engage with one or
other of a pair of discs connected by gearing with the brush shifter of the generating
machine in such a manner that by the increase and decrease in the strength of the
current in the circuit the brushes are moved into position to increase or reduce as
required the strength of the current substantially as herein before described with
reference to Figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.
5th. In apparatus for regulating or controlling electric currents a frame mounted
loosely on the axis or on an extension of the axis of the generating machine and
carrying two discs rotated by means of gearing from the axis of the said machine
the frame carrying the two discs being operated by the motions of the core of a solenoid
or the like so as to cause one or other of the discs carried by the frame to gear with
a disc which is connected by gearing with the brush shifter of the generating machine
substantially as and for the purpose hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 4
of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this ath ... Ր T _ 1000