MENTS IN PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL LIGHT, AND ALSO IN PRODUCING MOTIVE POWER
Year: 1852

page_text: TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, EDWARD
HENRY JACKSON, of Litchfield Street, Soho, in the County of Middlesex,
Machinist, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent under the Great Seal of Great Britain, bearing date at Westminster,
the Twenty-first day of October, in the year of our Lord One thousand eight
hundred and fifty-two, in the sixteenth year of Her reign, did grant and
grant unto me, the said. Edward Henry Jackson, my exors, admors, and
assigns, Her special license, full power, sole privilege and authority, that I,
the said Edward Henry Jackson, my exors, admors, and assigns, and such as
1, the said Edward. Henry Jackson, my exors, admors, and assigns, should at
any time agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times here-
after during the term of years therein mentioned, should and lawfully. might
make, use, exercise, and vend, within that part of the United. Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland called England, &c., my Invention of "IMPROVE
MENTS IN PRODUCING ARTIFICIAL LIGHT, AND ALSO IN PRODUCING MOTIVE POWER;"
in which Letters Patent is contained a proviso obliging me, the said Edward
Henry Jackson, to particularly describe and ascertain the nature, of my said
Invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, by an instrument
in writing under my hand and scal, and cause the same to .be enrolled in ller
said Majesty's High Court of Chancery within six calendar months next and
immediately after the date of the said in part recited Letters l'atent, as, refer-
ence being thereto had, will more fully and at large appear.
NOW KNOW YE, that in compliance with the said proviso, F. the said
Edward Henry Jackson. do hereby declare the nature of my Invention, and
D

page_text: the manner in which the same is to be performed. is particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following instrument in writing, reference being
to the letters and figures therein contained, and to the Drawings hereunto
annexed, and forming part of these Presents.
My Invention as regards improvements in apparatus for the production of
light from electricity consists,-
First, in regulating the electrodes so as to render the light perfectly steady,
in respect whereof I will proceed first to describe that part of my Invention
which relates to the arrangement in connection with the electrodes, or that
part of the electric circuit at or in which the electric light is produced. It is
now known that there are certain conditions most valuable for the production
of the electric light, and it is generally understood what these conditions are, but
in producing such light many difliculties arise of a practical nature. The light
is best obtained by placing a piece of carbon in a metal socket or holder in a
part set in the apparatus for that particular purpose, when placed there that
piece of carbon or metallic substance forms one pole of the electric circuit, and
the other pole is obtained by placing a second piece of carbon or metallic sub-
stance in a perpendicular position with the first-named piece. In this form
the electric light has been used by several persons, but the great difficulties
have not in practical operation yet been overcome. that is. to produce a
constant steady light, which I can obtain by the aid of my present Invention,
and I will now proceed to describe the means whereby obtain such constant
steady light.
First, two pieces of carbon or metallic substances above named are brought
in contact by means of two common binding screws, and thus maintained in
contact, then the electric current is turned on by a simple arrangement here-
after described, this causes the light to appear in that very part where the
circuit is broken, being between the two electrodes; and the light is maintained
by a self-acting regulator. hereafter described and illustrated by the Drawings,
which is a small piece of brass or other suitable metal fixed to the bottom
holder or socket, with a given quantity of notches according to the lengths of the
electrodes, and having a small roller working on a centre enclosed in a frame
with notches to correspond with the aforesaid brass piece. Attached to the
frame of the roller is a slight brass arm, which holds in the notches of the
roller, and by so doing allows the electrodes to pass freely up as they are con-
sumed; but should any fluctuation in the electric current occur, the small stop
that acts in the notches of the roller will at once stop the electrodes from
getting beyond the required distance, and so as the light is set in the first
instance, so it will last until the electrodes are consumed (if carbon be used),

page_text: but if any other substance than carbon should be used that does not consume.
the light will keep a steady course until the current or flow of electricity has
spent its power. I am thus particular in explaining this very important point.
as I wish to show that the electrodes have never been adjusted by anyone in
this way.
In Sheet Number 1 (Drawing A) at B and C will be seen represented the
carbons in contact with the small roller, with notches as above stated, and at
the end of the self-acting regulator a set screw G. so arranged as to be capable
of being adjusted to any required distance. It has also been proposed by
others to make the current of electricity traverse a coil of covered wire with
a permanent magnet acting on centres so as to cause the magnet to deflect.
and to use a counterbalance weight to act against the antagonist force: but all
these and other modes of attaining the same ends as heretofore proposed arc
subject to various defects which interfere with their practical efficiency, and
the object of this part of my present Invention is to obtain a more simple.
practical. and certain method, combined with economy, than what has here-
tofore been practised.
In Sheet No. 1 D', D2, are two hollow iron tubes, covered with copper
wire insulated in the usual way, as in all other cases of magnetic apparatus;
when covered in this way introduce a thin non-conducting substance in the
interior, and then a second hollow iron tube insulated from the exterior (see
Sheet No. 3, at G), the top or uppermost double hollow tube being D' and the
bottom one D, the latter being made in a like form, but so much larger that
it will admit the top hollow tube D' to pass freely through the centre of bottom
tube Dº. When in that position I attach a spiral spring or conductor from
the positive pole to the negative pole, and by that means form the electric
circuit, which, when turned on, will cause the top double hollow tube to be
drawn into the bottom hollow tube D, and so to remain as the electrode is
consumed. The hollow tube that is imbedded on the other will gradually
release itself, and by so doing will keep up a regular supply of carbon or any
other agent that may be used. When acting in this way any deviation in the
electric current can by no means interfere with the light unless the electricity
be spent. for as the hollow tube releases itself the carbon gets consumed, and
the regulator acting in contact with holder B (Sheet 1), it cannot by any means
deviate from the regulated distance. thus when set it will always be certain of
affording a constant steady light.
In said Sheet No. 1 (Drawing A), B is the bottom electrode holder. C. a
piece of brass fixed to the bottom holder B, with notches to correspond with
the notches on the roller E, this roller acting on a centre provided in the frame

page_text: F, F, which frame is constructed in the manner illustrated by the said Drawing.
G, set screw for putting the roller E into and releasing it from gear with the
brass piece C. When in the position shewn by the Drawing, the stop I, at
the top of the roller, is acting in the notches, and by so doing allows the
electrodes to pass freely up (but not down), as they are consumed; but should
any fluctuation in the electric current occur, the small stop aforesaid that acts
in the notches of the roller will at once stop he electrodes from getting beyond
the required distance, as the electrodes are consumed (if carbon be used), but
if any other agent should be used that does not consume, the light will keep a
steady course until the current or flow of electricity has spent its power. Thus,
when the electric current is turned on it acts in a regular manner through the
outer copper covering of bottom hollow tube D2, then on the spiral conductor
I, from thence to the covered copper of the hollow tube D', from thence on
the holder B, through the bottom electrode A into the top electrode A', across
the brass arm, through the glass upright K back to the battery, thus causing
the two hollow tubes to become magnetic, and by so doing the top tube is
drawn into the bottom, and as the carbon gets consumed the tube gradually
rises (acting so as to keep down the electrode to its proper position) until the
whole of the carbon is consumed, if carbon is used, or if other electrodes that
do not consume, then the light will remain steady until the battery has spent its
power. And in order to facilitate the proper action of the above friction
wheels L, O (see said Drawing A, Sheet 1), are provided also grooved pulley
wheels M to carry the weight of the top tube D', and weights N to balance
the top tube D' or bottom tube D2, just as it may suit the form of lamp.
Lastly, P is a piece of wood or any non-conducting substance forming a stand.
This self-acting electrode regulator can be applied to the electric light in
various ways, either to the top or bottom of the electrode holder, according to
the form of the lamp.
In Sheet Number 3 Drawing C exhibits my non-consuming electrode. I
attach to the bottom holder a piece of carbon, shewn by the black part of the
Drawing, with a recess on the top. In this recess I use either platina or
mercury, so that the top electrode is made to form a connection with the said
platina or mercury; thus when the light is burning it is made to give the
light from this recess above named.
Secondly, my Invention refers to a governor meter or electric current indi-
cator. This simple apparatus (see Sheet Number 2, Drawings 4 and 5) is
placed within the electric current or before the lamps, as it will when placed
in its proper position alter the electric light, so that any amount of light may
be used as far as diminishing it so as to suit the space in which it is intended

page_text: to use the said light; for instance, if there is a battery that will give a light of
five hundred gas burners connected to an electric lamp, when the circuit is
made the electric light is shewn between the two electrodes or carbons, and
thus shews the whole of the amount of power of battery. If such a body of
electric light were found too intense, there existed up to the present time no
means to diminish it without shutting off a portion of the battery; thus, in
proportion as the electricity was spent, the light also diminished in intensity,
and became too small for said space, and the only remedy would have been to
put on the abandoned cells, and this and other modes now in use are all
objectionable. But by my Invention I govern the electric light, no matter
how intense, thus, for example, the battery shall be charged to give the
same amount of light as above named; then I place my governor or electric
meter between the battery and electric lamp, make the circuit, and cause the
electricity to pass through the mains of copper wire to the governor or meter.
This governor consists, as exhibited by the Drawings Numbers 4 and 5, Sheet
Number 2, of a glass globe with two hollow ends forming two arms, at the
extreme end of this glass globe are connected two brass screw nuts and caps,
one end having a piece of copper or any other suitable conducting substance
firmly fixed to the brass cap that fixes on the end of glass globe, made water
tight, and the other has a screw nut with a very quick thread in the centre, in
this is placed a metallic screw to correspond with the said quick thread; the
glass globe is charged with a solution of sulphuric acid and water in equal
parts, introduced at the top or opening left for the escape of the generated
gases. The electricity passes to connection a. from thence to pillar B, through
the cap C, with the screw C through the solution into the other fixed
cap D, through the pillar E to the connection F, from thence on to
the electric lamp, causing no impediment whatever to the current; and
the light is supposed now to be using the whole amount of electricity given
from the battery, and the regulating screw attached to cap C, connected to the
fixed cap D, thus making the circuit complete; but supposing the electric light
is too intense for the place, the regulating screw C must be drawn back, and
as the screw is drawn back the light will diminish according to the distance of
the space that the electricity will have to traverse in, the solution thus being
able to govern the intensity of the light by means of the screw above named.
My Invention also comprises the attachment of a needle acting in connection
with the above, so as to be able to measure the amount of electricity used,
showing in one apparatus a governor of the electric current, and also an
indicator of quantity. This apparatus can be applied in all cases where the
amount of electricity is required to be kept to a certain intensity.

page_text: Thirdly, my Invention consists in an improved battery, and in obtaining the
electric current for electric lighting, or the generation of motive force for
electric telegraphs and other purposes.
This battery is constructed of any
In the divisions
at a. a) which
place porous
given number of cells all in a line, being a trough of wood or any other
suitable material. with divisions fixed a set distance apart so as to form the
cells on the top face of the sides there is a ploughed groove of about three
and a quarter inches deep, forming a continuous gutter round the top; the
gutter is constructed so as to charge the cells to a given height.
of this trough I place small troughs, (see Sheet 3, Figure D.
I make of gutta percha perforated at bottom, between which
cells or bags (see Sheet 3. Figure D. at b, made of woven tube, Burnet's
patent woven hose for instance, cut to the required length, having a piece of
wood firmly fitted in the end and coated with marine glue, so as to render it
water-tight, and is fitted to the bottom as above mentioned; this when charged
with a mixture of salts without amalgamation of mercury allows the electricity
to pass freely through its meshes; the crystalization of the salts does not at any
time interfere with the practical uses of the working of the battery. In order
to put this battery into operation I use two cisterns, one to supply the battery,
the other to receive the supply when spent; the former or supply cistern to
be placed at a proper height so as not to obstruct the working of the battery:
the latter or receiving cistern to be placed below the battery. Attached to this
battery is a reservoir of the same height and width as the cells of the battery.
and is connected with the top or supply cistern by a vulcanized india-rubber
tube. Thus when the solution is turned on by means of a glass cock made
according to my arrangement, as hereafter described, it passes down the tube
through another glass cock with a common ball cock action, so arranged that
when the solution rises to a certain height it passes through small appertures
at the bottom of the gutter leading into each cell, but first passing through
the appertures from the reservoir connected to the battery, then along the
gutter by which all cells are filled to a requisite height, and when come to this
height the ball cock will shut off the solution from the supply cistern. This
process charges the battery with one solution, but during the charging I charge
the porous cells by another mode with a suitable mixture from a third cistern
placed at a certain height, passing from thence through a common piece of
vulcanized india-rubber tubing. There is here applied also a glass cock so
arranged as to be used like a common hose to turn on and off as the cells
require charging. The above mode then constitutes the way of charging my
battery, and I will now proceed to describe how I carry off my charges, viz.:
There are cocks of glass or any other suitable material at the lower or outside

page_text: of each compartment or cell; these cocks are so contrived that the solution
can be turned on or off at once; over the cocks is a guita percha covering d
(see Fig. B. Sheet 3), which entirely encloses them air-tight, consequently the
solution must pass through the interior of this covering through the tubing
into the lower cistern B; this charge is drawn off simultaneously by means of
an action to the cocks, as shewn in Sheet No. 3. Drawing B.
The porous
cells are drawn off thus: there is a piece of wood or any other suitable sub-
stance at the bottom of the porous cells as aforesaid. forming a water-tight
bottom; in the centre of this piece of wood is a hole with an inside thread or
screw, and a corresponding hole in the bottom of the cell of the battery: an
india-rubber washer is placed between for rendering it an air-tight fitting when
drawn together, and through the copper plate 7, at the bottom, and the bottom
of the battery case, there is a corresponding hole that has a thread or screw. as
before named, serving as a connection with the above, and from the thread or
screw it is attached to the india-rubber tubing by a corresponding thread
thereon to carry off the spent charge, as shown in Sheet No. 3. Drawing B.
I then screw into the mouth of the tube at bottom of the porous cells an
upright piece or stopper rod c (Figs. B and D, Sheet 3), of gutta percha, with
an ordinary conductor at its side for conducting the electricity from the interior
of the porous cells to the other part of the battery, thus serving for a conductor,
and likewise as a plug to fill the outlet in the porous cells, by simply unscrewing
which, when the spent charge will pass through the outlet down the tubes
into any convenient receptacle. Thus 1 charge the battery and draw off the
various charges. In this battery I may use copper for the negative pole and
zinc for the positive pole, but do not in all cases confine myself to the employ-
ment of these two materials. In some instances I employ galvanized iron.
platinised silver, or any other suitable material. In Sheet Number 3, Drawing
C, is a detached view of the cock and apparatus connected therewith, attached
to the said battery as herein-before mentioned, which I shall now proceed to
describe. This cock consists interiorly of a longer and shorter passage at right
angles to each other, the shorter being the plug A, by which it is fixed to the
bottom part or sides of the battery, each cell or compartment of the battery
having one, and the longer containing the cylinder piece B. fitting half way
down the longer tube so as to keep it steady in its place. with a flanged cap
at the top, fitting on the top of india rubber washer E, E, of sufficient
resiliency. Attached to the cylinder piece is a small piece of wire e, screwed
to a round ball D that fits on a cone or bevel fitting Ex at the mouth of the
cock between the flange of the cap and on the top of plug A is a spiral
spring F coiled around the cock, with the said india-rubber washers E, E,

page_text: *
•
between. As soon as the spring is applied it causes the cylinder B to be drawn
up, so that the round ball D is drawn into the bevil or cone fitting E, the india
rubber washers being made to bite on a bevil fitting E, E, at the top of the
plug, and thereby become air-tight. Wood, gutta percha, india rubber, glass,
or any other suitable material, may be used in the construction of this cock and
its appurtenances. There is a rod A¹ (see dotted lines, Drawing D, Sheet 3),
having a piece of iron B' connected to it, and made to act on the cap or top
of the cylinder piece B, when the rod is turned the third of the centre, and
release the round ball D from its fitting, by which the solution obtains a free
passage from the vessel containing it, but upon the rod being released the
spiral spring brings the round ball to its fitting, and it becomes again air-tight,
thus requiring no action to be given to each cock singly by hand. To give
action to the cocks the round iron rod A¹, covered with gutta-percha tube,
having attached thereto the piece of iron B', in the shape of a third of a circle,
is made to press on the cap or top of the cylinder piece B of the cock. At
the other end of this rod A' is fixed a round plate C with notches, above this
plate is a click that follows in the notches of plate C, so that when the rod is
turned by the handle the third of a circle, the piece of iron B' will force down
the cap, and by consequence the cylinder B of the cock thus releasing the
ball at the bottom, as in the Drawing, and allowing the solution to pass out as
before named. I also use a glass conveyor (shown in Sheet Number 3,
Drawings No. 1 and 2 detached), to be attached to the mains or conductor for
turning the current of electricity. d, Drawing No. 2, is a round piece of
glass with a small hole B in the centre, in which there is a metal plug C,
Drawing No. 1, connected to the round piece of glass a by means of a counter-
sunk screw D. Drawing No. 1, thus giving the plug C a circular action on the
face of the said glass. a are two pieces of inetal E. E, that have two con-
necting screws. When these are connected to the copper conductor F, F, the
electric current is shut off, or only a connection G being made across the top
of the plug C, so that when the current is turned on the connection G across
the top of the plug C, which is made to touch the two pieces of metal E, E,
on the face of the piece of glass A, so that the electric circuit is completed,
thus showing the mode of using the conveyor. In said Sheet Number 3.
Drawing J, shows a force pump for supplying solution, the peculiarity whercof
consists in its being made of glass.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and in what manner
the same is to be performed. I hereby further declare that what I claim in
respect to the said Invention is as follows, viz.:-
I claim with regard to the part herein-before described under the first head

page_text: And
I
the use of the regulator for regulating the electrodes, and the arrangements
whereby I cause electricity or magnetism to actuate the said regulator.
instead of a consumable electrode can use the non-consuming electrode
herein-before described and illustrated by the Drawings (see Sheet No. 3.
Drawing C), and I can also use a governor meter or electric current indicator.
as herein-before described as "Secondly." and illustrated by the Drawings.
claim in regard to the part herein-before described as "Thirdly." the general
arrangement and combination of the battery and its appurtenances, herein-
before set forth and illustrated by the Drawings. Also the formation of the
porous cells as set forth. Also the use of gutta percha for the small troughs
herein-before described. Also the use of the salts in the said battery com-
bined with equal parts of sulphuric acid without amalgamation with mercury
in the said porous cells, for the purpose of obtaining electric currents.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Henry Jackson, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twentieth day of April, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three.