IMPROVEMENTS IN METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHARGING AND USING SECONDARY BATTERIES
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Jensen, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN METHOD AND MEANS FOR
CHARGING AND USING SECONDARY BATTERIES." A communication from
abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of Menlo Park, in the State of New Jersey,
United State of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Jensen at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 18th October 1881.
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHARGING AND USING SECONDARY
BATTERIES." (A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of Menlo
Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States of America.)
In the discharge of secondary batteries or accumulators of electricity there
occurs a rapid fall in the electro-motive force of the current which unfits them for
use in systems of electric lighting in the ordinary way, since the pressure or
electro-motive force must be maintained practically constant in order to produce a
steady light.
It is the object therefore of this Invention to produce method and means for
maintaining the electro-motive force of a current supplied wholly or principally
from secondary batteries, so as to utilize such secondary batteries in systems for the
distribution of electricity for translation into light, power, heat, or other visible
effect.
This is accomplished by reinforcing the primary current from time to time, so
as to keep up the required electro-motive force in the main or consumption
circuit.
This Invention includes three ways of accomplishing this result.
First. With the positive main conductor are connected two or more series of
secondary cells which are connected together at their other ends, and are connected
in multiple arc with the other conductor through a dynamo or magneto-electric
machine.
This generator is preferably a dynamo-electric machine, its field coils being in a
shunt leading from the positive commutator brush of the machine to the negative

page_text: main conductor. In this shunt circuit is a series of resistances, which can be
thrown in or cut out out of circuit by means of a switch. This switch is operated
by hand, but it may be worked automatically from the main circuit by suitable
means. The secondary cells and the dynamo electric machine being connected in
multiple are with the main conductors, the current from the secondary batteries is
thrown upon the line, or that from one series of cells may first be utilized and the
other series thrown in as the electro-motive force begins to fall. It will be under-
stood that the cells are of such capacity that when charged each series will give
the required electro-motive force to operate the translating devices. The current will
flow from the cells to the positive main conductor, thence to the translating devices,
and back through the negative main conductor and the dynamo-electric machine
to the cells, such dynamo electric machine not being operated while the electro-
motive force of the battery current remains practically constant. But when the
electro-dynamometer provided for the purpose indicates a drop in the pressure of
the current, the engine that drives the dynamo electric machine is started, all the
resistance being thrown into the field circuit. The current thus generated and
passed through the cells re-inforces the battery current and re-establishes the
desired pressure, while the secondary batteries may still supply the principal
amount of current. When the dynamometer indicates another fall of pressure, a part
of the resistance is cut out of the field circuit, which has the effect of strengthening
the field magnets and increasing the generative force of the machine. Other sections
of the resistance are cut out as required from time to time, the power of increase of
the dynamo electric machine and the number of cells and series of cells used being
, adapted for the work to be done, so that the electro-motive force can be maintained
without fall during the desired time. The batteries when exhausted are re-charged
and used over again in the manner explained.
It is evident that a number of dynamo or magneto electric machines could be
used in this manner in the same system for re-inforcing the current of secondary
batteries.
Second. A number of series of secondary cells are connected in multiple arc with
the main conductors, each series being arranged to give the standard intensity and
connected by a switch with one conductor. To give the primary current one or
more series are switched into connection with the conductors, and as the pressure
drops the other series are thrown in as required in succession.
Third. Two or more series of secondary cells are connected to one main conductor.
These series are connected with each other in multiple are at a number of points,
each cross connection including one cell of each series. A switch is connected with
the other main conductor, and makes contact with these cross or multiple are
connections. The circuit being completed through the first contact, a current is
thrown upon the line with an intensity due to the number of cells included in each
series by the first cross-connection. When the pressure drops the second contact
will be made, which will throw into each series a fresh cell and re-establish the
electro-motive force. This is continued until the last contact is made.
It will be seen that in all these constructions the primary current is not shut off
when its electro-motive force drops, but is reinforced by other currents so as to
give the standard pressure.
In charging the secondary batteries, dynamo or magneto-electric machines are
used, which are preferably connected in multiple are with the main conductors, and
have their field coils connected in series and with the main conductors, or one or
more machines may be used to excite the fields of a number of other machines.
Means are provided for regulating the generative force of the machines by
controlling their field circuit or circuits.
The secondary cells are arranged in one or a number of series, and connected
with the main conductors. When charged, the cells are disconnected from the
conductors and conveyed to the point where they are to be used.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Peter Jensen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 18th April
1882.
MENTS IN
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. " IMPROVE-
METHOD AND MEANS FOR CHARGING AND USING SECONDARY
BATTERIES." A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of Menlo
Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States of America.
In the discharge of secondary batteries or accumulators of electricity there
occurs a rapid fall in the electro motive force of the current which unfits them
for use in systems of electric lighting in the ordinary way, since the pressure or
electro-motive force must be maintained practically constant in order to produce a
steady light.
It is the object therefore of this Invention to produce method and means for
maintaining the electro-motive force of a current supplied wholly or principally
from secondary batteries so as to utilize such secondary batteries in systems for
the distribution of electricity for translation into light, power, or other visible
effect.
This is accomplished by reinforcing the primary current from time to time so
as to keep up the required electro motive force in the main or consumption
circuit.
This Invention includes three ways of accomplishing this result.
First. With the positive main conductor are connected two or more series of
secondary cells which are connected together at their other ends, and are connected
in multiple arc with the other conductor through a dynamo or magneto electrio
machine.
This generator is preferably a dynamo electric machine, its field coils being in a
shunt leading from the positive commutator brush of the machine to the negative
main conductor. In this shunt circuit is a series of resistances which can be
thrown in or cut out of circuit by means of a switch. This switch is operated by
hand, but it may be worked automatically from the main circuit by suitable
means. The secondary cells and the dynamo electric machine being connected in
multiple arc with the main conductors, the current from the secondary batteries
is thrown upon the line, or that from one series of cells may first be utilized and
the other series thrown in as the electro-motive force begins to fall. It will be
understood that the cells are of such capacity that when charged each series will
give the required electro-motive force to operate the translating devices.
The
The current will flow from the cells to the positive main conductor, thence to
the translating devices, and back through the negative main conductor and the
dynamo electric machine to the cells, such dynamo electric machine not being
operated while the electro-motive force of the battery current remains practically
constant. But when the electro-dynamometer provided for the purpose indicates
a drop in the pressure of the current the engine that drives the dynamo-electric
machine is started, all the resistance being thrown into the field circuit.
current thus generated and passed through the cells re-inforces the battery current
and re-establishes the desired pressure, while the secondary batteries may still
supply the principal amount of current. When the dynamometer indicates another
fall of pressure, a part of the resistance is cut out of the field circuit, which has the
effect of strengthening the field magnets and increasing the generative force of the
machine. Other sections of the resistance are cut out as required from time to

page_text: The
time, the power of increase of the dynamo-electric machine and the number of cells
and series of cells used being adapted for the work to be done, so that the electro-
motive force can be maintained without fall during the desired time.
batteries when exhausted are recharged and used over again in the manner
explained.
It is evident that a number of dynamo or magneto electric machines could be
used in this manner in the same system for re-inforcing the current of secondary
batteries.
Second. A number of series of secondary cells are connected in multiple arc
with the main conductors, each series being arranged to give the standard intensity
and connected by a switch with one conductor. To give the primary current one
or more series are switched into connection with the conductors, and as the pressure
drops the other series are thrown in as required in succession.
Third. Two or more series of secondary cells are connected to one main con-
ductor. These series are connected with each other in multiple arc at a number
of points, each cross connection including one cell of each series. A switch is
connected with the other main conductor and makes contact with these cross or
multiple are connections. The circuit being completed through the first contact a
current is thrown upon the line with an intensity due to the number of cells
included in each series by the first cross connection. When the pressure drops the
second contact will be made, which will throw into each series a fresh cell and
re-establish the electro-motive force. This is continued until the last contact is
made.
It will be seen that in all these constructions the primary current is not shut off
when its electro-motive force drops, but is re-inforced by other currents so as to give
the standard pressure.
In charging the secondary batteries dynamo or magneto electric machines are
used which are preferably connected in multiple arc with main conductors, and
have their field coils connected in series and with the main conductors, or one or
more machines may be used to excite the field of a number of other machines.
Means are provided for regulating the generative force of the machines by
controlling their field circuit or circuits.
The secondary cells are arranged in one or a number of series, and connected
with the main conductors. When charged the cells are disconnected from the
conductors and conveyed to the point where they are to be used.
The foregoing will be better understood from the Drawing, in which Figure 1
is a diagram representing the method of charging the secondary cells or
accumulators.
Figure 2 a diagram of one method of using the cells and maintaining the electro-
motive force of the current, and
Figures 3 and 4 diagrams of other methods. 1, 2, are the main conductors of a
distribution system, of which A represents the lamps or other translating devices
which are connected in multiple arc.
B represents secondary cells or accumulators of electricity of any suitable
construction. In use these are arranged in two series C, D (Figure 2), the cells of
each series being coupled together and connected to the positive main conductor 2
by switches a. At the other end the two series are connected together by wire 3,
from which wire 4 leads to positive commutator brush 6 of a dynamo or magneto
electric machine E. The negative commutator brush c is connected by wire 5
with 1. The field circuit 6, 7, of E, has a series of resistances F and switch d.
Each series C, D, has the right number of cells to give the desired electro-motive
force. Both series c and d may be connected by a with 2 at the start to give the
primary current, or only one series may be so connected, and then the other can be
thrown in when the electro-motive force of the primary current drops.
The generator E is not operated until the current due to both C and D
commences to drop in its pressure. Then the switch d is moved to the outer or

page_text: upper contact of F, and the engine that drives E is started. This throws a
re-inforcing current in multiple are through the secondary cells. At each subse-
quent drop in the electro-motive force the switch d is moved in wardly to the next
inner contact of F, and the standard electro motive force maintained.
In Figure 3 the cells are arranged in three series, G, H, and I, the cells of each
series being coupled together for intensity, and each series being connected to both
conductors 1 and 2, the connections with one of such conductors being made
through switches e. The primary current is given by G, the switches of Ĕ and I
being left open at the start, and H. and I are thrown in, in succession as required,
to maintain the electro-motive force.
In Figure 4 the cells are arranged in series K, L, and M, each series being
connected independently of all others to 1. Commencing at the other end the
series K, L, M, are connected together by cross wires 8, 9, 10, and 11, each of
which includes one more cell of each series than the next cross wire to the right.
The contacts of 8, 9, 10, and 11, are made by switch f connected by wire 12 to
the main conductor 2. At the start contact is made with 11, and the primary
current is given by the cells to the left of it. As the electro-motive force drops,
contact is made in succession with 10, 9, and 8.
For charging the cells two or more dynamo or magneto electric machines N, O,
are connected in multiple are with conductors 13 and 14.
The field coils of the machines are connected in series; the field circuit 15, 16, is
provided with an adjustable resistance P by which the current in the field circuit
is governed, and the generative force of the machine is regulated.
The cells are arranged in series Q, R, connected with the conductors 13 and 14.
When the cells are charged they are disconnected from 13, 14, and conveyed to
the points of consumption. The number of cells that can be charged at the same
time will depend upon the capacity and number of Faradic generators used.
What is claimed is,-
First. The method of maintaining the electro-motive force of a current given by
secondary batteries, consisting in re-inforcing the primary current at each drop of
pressure, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination with the main conductors of one or more series of
secondary batteries connected with such conductors for giving the primary current
and means, substantially as described for maintaining the electro-motive force of
the primary current.
Third. The method of charging secondary batteries, consisting in arranging such
batteries in one or more series, and charging them by magnets or dynamo electric
machines connected in multiple arc, substantially as set forth.
Fourth. The combination for the purpose of charging secondary batteries of
magneto or dynamo electric machines having their generative portions connected
in multiple arc, means for regulating the field circuit or circuits of such generators,
and one or more series of secondary batteries connected with the conductors from
the machines, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Jensen, have hereunto set my hand and
seal, this Seventeenth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
sight hundaad and nin
P. JENSEN. (L.S.)