An Improved Combined Starting, Reversing, and Controlling Electric Switch for Operating Electric Motors.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 31st Jan., 1895
Complete Specification Left, 2nd Oct., 1895-Accepted, 2nd Nov., 1895
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION,
An Improved Combined Starting, Reversing, and Controlling
Electric Switch for Operating Electric Motors.
I, WALTER ANGOVE CLATWORTHY, of Eaton House, Neasden, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
-
My invention relates to switches, for starting and controlling the circuits of
electric motors, such for instance as may be used for driving electric launches :-
and consists of an arrangement of contacts and circuits between the operative
batteries or generators and the motor, that, by the operation of one switch handle,
the various arrangements of circuits, to go "ahead fast," and "astern fast," with
batteries or generators "in series," and "ahead slow," or "astern slow," with
batteries or generators, "in parallel," are affected by a series of successive positions,
the circuits being also automatically broken between each successive arrangement
of circuits. The switch therefore, having but one handle, can be operated by an
unskilled attendant, without fear of mistake, or damage to the batteries or generators,
or to the motor.
To carry out my invention, I arrange three distinct series of contact blocks, all
simultaneously operated, in their due order, by the single motion of the switch
handle, from right to left, or left to right.
3966
:-
These three series of contacts are respectively
1st. Four contacts to one pole of the motor corresponding to the respective
conditions of "ahead fast
""ahead slow" and "astern slow."
astern fast,'
Between these respective contacts the circuits are broken before change, and
the intermediate positions of the switch handle are marked "off."
2nd. A series of four contacts closed in pairs by two insulated contact strips
upon the switch, or upon a disc or plate operated by the switch handle.
"
This series of contacts is for the purpose of connecting up the batteries or
or "astern" is required.
generators, "in series," when fast speed "ahead
Though I have described only one change and contact piece for conversion from
fast to slow speed, I might introduce intermediate contacts in the same manner, to
effect more varied changes in the grouping of the batteries or generators, between
full speed" and "dead slow."
66
3rd. A series of seven contacts connected in pairs by two insulated contact strips
upon the switch or upon a disc plate operated by the switch handle, to reverse the
armatures and field connections of the motor in relation to one another, for "ahead"
rotation of the motor, whether the batteries or generators are "in
or astern
66
series " or
"
"paralell."
"
I arrange the moving portion of the switch to travel in one or more planes over
the said series of insulated contacts, fixed in one or more planes on slate, in
accordance with the most approved manner of constructing such switches; and
I may arrange the fixed contacts in a series of circles of different radii about the
ceutre of the switch, which will thus have a circular movement through a portion of
a circle.
It is obvious however that the series of contacts may be arranged in rectilinear
lines, and the switch may travel over them rectilinearly back and forwards.
Should it be desirable to insert starting or other resistances in the circuits, my
arrangement affords ample room for insertion of such extra contacts, independently
of the circuit changes.

page_text: Permanent connections are made by wires in the usual manner between contacts,
and from contacts to terminals on the motor and batteries or generators.
I preferably arrange a set of numbered terminals on the switch slate, with
permanent strip connections to the respective contacts, to avoid confusion or
mistake when connecting up the generators and motor. I also arrange the switch
in a self contained manner, so that it may be easily fixed in, or withdrawn from, a
suitable box or casing, without disturbing any of the connections.
Dated this 29th day of January 1895.
FELL & WILDING,
1 Queen Victoria Street, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Combined Starting, Reversing, and Controlling
Electric Switch for Operating Electric Motors.
I, WALTER ANGOVE CLATWORTHY, late of Eaton House, Neasden, now of
5 Norfolk Terrace, Chapter Road, Willesden Green, N.W. both in the County of
Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, 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 relates to switches for starting and controlling the circuits of
electric motors, such for instance as may be used for driving electric launches ;
tramcars &c. and consists of an arrangement of contacts and circuits between
the operative batteries or generators and the motor, so that by the operation of one
switch handle, the various arrangements of circuits to go "ahead fast" and "astern
fast," with batteries or generators in series, and "ahead slow 66
or astern slow"
with batteries or generators "in parallel," are affected by a series of successive
positions, the circuits being also automatically broken between the position for
"ahead" or "astern." The switch therefore having but one handle, can be
operated by an unskilled attendant without fear of mistake, or damage to the
batteries or generators, or to the motor.
To carry out my invention 1 arrange three distinct series of contact blocks, all
simultaneously operated, in their due order, by the single motion of the switch
handle, from the right to left, or left to right.
These three series of contacts are rospectively :-
1st. Four contacts to one pole of the motor corresponding to the respective
conditions of "ahead fast" "astern fast" "ahead slow" and "astern slow.'
Between these respective contacts of ahead and astern slow the circuit to the
motor is broken and this intermediate position of the switch handle is marked
"Off."
2nd. A series of four contacts, closed in pairs by two insulated contact strips or
brushes upon the switch, or upon a disc or plate operated by the switch handle.
This series of contacts is for the purpose of connecting up the batteries or.
generators in "series" when fast speed ahead," or
if
66 astern "is required, and " in
paraliel" when slow speed "ahead"
66
or astern " is required.
Though I have described only one change and contact piece, for conversion from
fast to slow speed, I might introduce intermediate contacts in the same manner to
effect more varied changes in the grouping of the batteries or generators, between
"full speed" and "dead slow."
3rd. A series of four contacts connected by two insulated contact strips or
brushes upon the switch, or upon a disc or plate operated upon the switch handle,
to reverse the armatures and field connections of the motor in relation to one
another, for ahead or astern rotation of the motor, whether the batteries or
generators are in series or parallel.

page_text: I arrange the moving portion of the switch to travel in one or more planes over
the said series of insulated contacts, fixed in one or more planes on slate, in-
accordance with the most approved manner of constructing such switches, and
I may arrange the fixed contacts in a series of circles of different radii about the
centre of the switch, which will thus have a circular movement through a portion.
of a circle.
"
It is obvious however that the series of contacts may be arranged in rectilinear
lines, and the switch may travel over them rectilinearly back and forwards.
Should it be desirable to insert starting or other resistances in the circuits my
arrangement affords ample room for insertion of such extra contacts, independently
of the circuit changes.
Permanent connections are made by wires in the usual manner between contacts,.
and from contacts to terminals on the motor and batteries or generators.
I preferably arrange a set of numbered terminals on the switch slate with
permanent strip connections to the respective contacts, to avoid confusion or
mistake when connecting up the generators and motor. I also arrange the switch
in a self-contained manner, so that it may be easily fixed in, or withdrawn from a
suitable box or casing without disturbing any of the connections.
And in order that my invention may be the better understood I now proceed to
describe the same in relation to the drawings hereto annexed, and to the letters and
figures marked thereon. Like letters and numerals refer to similar parts in each
of the figures.
Figure 1 is a top plan with box cover partly removed and
Figure 2 is a vertical section through a convenient form of my improved switch
and contacts arranged in two planes, one above the other, and
Figure 3 is a diagramatic view of my contacts arranged all on one plane, the
switch handle being shown with insulated connectors attached thereto in position
for "fast speed ahead."
The respective fixed contact blocks and insulated connectors attached to the
switch spindle are numbered similarly in all figures, but the electrical circuits,
batteries &c., are shown only in Figure 3 for clearness. A description then of
circuits on the diagram Fig. 3 will apply equally to the instrument shown in a more
compact form in Figs. 1 and 2.
S is the switch handle provided with a spring pressed hand lever T and engaging
pin t, by which the switch handle is retained in its required positions either "off,"
"ahead slow," "ahead fast," "astern slow," or astern fast."
st
The switch arm makes metallic contact between the various isolated contact
blocks 10, 11, 12, & 13 (for the various speeds ahead or astern) and the plain sector
contact piece 9, when the switch handle is in the various desired positions over the
said isolated contact blocks. Otherwise the connector arms or brushes A and B
controlling the reversing of the motor, and the connector arms or brushes D and E
are insulated electrically from the switch spindle, and carrying plates F and G,
attached to the said spindle, by which the connector brushes are moved over the
various contacts.
In Figs. 1 and 2 to make the most compact arrangement of switch handle and
box, the contacts 1, 2, 3, 4, which effect the reversing of the motor, are arranged
on the top face of an upper insulating slab H, of slate or other suitable material.
The contacts 5, 6, 7, and 8, are placed on the under face of a lower insulating slab K,
of slate or suitable material.
It is obvious however that the contacts can be arranged on the face of one board
or slab as shown in Fig. 3 or may be otherwise arranged without departure from
the essence of my invention.
In the position of the switch handle as shown in Fig. 3 for "fast ahead" the
completion of the circuits are as follows:-
Starting from the right hand terminal of the motor P the circuit runs from
contact block 10, through the handle, to contact strip 9. Thence to 2, by brush B
to 3, by wire to 5, thence to battery (No. 1) L, contact 7,-contact 6 by brush E,.

page_text: to battery (No. 2) M; thence by wire through field resistance R to 1, from 1 to 4
by brush A; and thence by wire to the left hand terminal of motor, the batteries L
& M being in series. At the opposite extremity of the travel of the hand switch
for "astern fast," the circuit is the same in character with the reversal of the poles
of the batteries to the terminals of the motor, by the altered positions of the
brushes A. and B. In the intermediate positions of "ahead słow
and " astern
slow," the brushes D and E bridge respectively the pair of contacts 5 and 6, and
the pair 7 and 8, and thus place the two sets of batteries L and M in parallel arc,
the direction only of the current from the batteries being reversed for "ahead"
or "astern" as regards the terminals of the motor.
"
For example, the circuit for "ahead slow" is completed thus ;-starting from
right hand terminal of motor, from contact 11 to long contact strip 9, by wire to 2,
by brush B to 3, by wire to 5 and 6 bridged by connector D, and thence to
batteries L and M in parallel arc; from batteries to 7 and 8 bridged by connector F,
from battery wire through field resistance R, to 1, and thence through brush A to 4
and the other terminal of motor. For "astern slow" the circuits are practically
the same with reversals as to terminals of motor and with batteries still "in
parallel."
Having now particularly described the nature of this said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
:―
1st. An improved combined starting, reversing and controlling electric switch
for operating electric motors, adapted to electrically connect, by a single movement
to or from various positions insulated contacts; so as to place a number of batteries
"in series" for fast speeds, and "in parallel" for low speeds, and at the same time
and by the same movement, to reverse, the connections to the motor for rotation in
either direction at high or low speeds.
2nd. In an electric hand switch, the combination therewith of three series of
insulated contacts operated by the handle, and by insulated brushes or connectors
moving with the said handle, to simultaneously effect by one movement, the reversal
of the motor, and the arrangement of the batteries in the operative circuit to suit
high or slow speeds.
3rd. In an electric switch, the combination of a switch handle pivotting round a
central spindle, and insulating brushes or connectors thereon, with 3 series of
contacts, arranged in one or more planes, one set of contacts being indicative of the
effect to be produced upon the motor, a second set effecting the connecting up of
the batteries in "series " or "parallel," and the third set effecting the reversal of
the motor; requisite contacts being closed simultaneously by one movement of the
switch handle, substantially as described.
4th. The combination and arrangement of parts of an electric switch and contacts,
substantially as described in reference to the illustrations in Figures 1 and 2 annexed
hereto.
Dand L
1005
FELL & WILDING,
1 Queen Victoria Street, London, E.C., Agents for the Applicant.