Improvements in Devices for Controlling Motors at a Distance.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improvements in Devices for Controlling Motors at a Distance.
I, JOSEPH CRAWHALL CHAPMAN, of 70, Chancery Lane, in the County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which has
been communicated to me from abroad by Edwin Ruthven Gill, of Englewood, New
Jersey, in the United States of America, Electrician), to be as follows:-
The present invention relates to improved means for controlling the power of
motors of all kinds at a distance from the person exercising such control. The
invention has particular relation to electric motors, and in some of its details it
supplies features particularly useful in relation to electric railways, both where single
cars are used, as in street practice, and where trains are employed.
The invention is adapted for use in governing all kinds of prime movers, such as
steain engines, water wheels, and so forth, and in all of these it is always necessary
to employ what may be termed a "power regulator," which directly governs the effort
exerted by the prime mover. In a steam engine this is the throttle valve, in a water
wheel it is the sluice gate, and in an electric inotor it is usually a rheostat or multiple
coil converter. In this specification reference will be made only to the use of the
rheostat, although it is to be understood that the invention covers all the forms of
power regulators known, in combination with the novel features for governing which
are hereinafter described.
Where the power regulator is governed by machinery, some sort of mechanical
device must supply the power to move the regulator. This invention contemplates
using a disc of magnetizable material driven in any convenient way from the prime
The invention covers any
mover, or in some cases from a separate auxiliary motor.
kind of mechanism suitable for this purpose however, and it is hereinafter referred to
as a controlling actuator.
In order to transmit the movement of the controlling actuator to the power
regulator some kind of controllable engagor is necessary to the preferred form of this
invention. This may be of various designs, and this invention contemplates the use
in this connection of two arms pivoted in front of the aforesaid disc, to which arms
are pivoted two connecting rods coming together at an attachment on the end of the
rheostat arm, or other movable part of the power regulator. On the arms and facing
the disc are two magnets by proper control of which the engagement of the arins,
rods and rheostat arm may be made and broken in operation of this device.
In order to properly govern this engagement a device is used at a distance from the
engagement device which is called the manipulator. It comprises an appropriate
switch moving over the usual stationary terminals, which latter are electrically con-
nected with a corresponding set of terminals of an interrupting switch operated by
movement of the engagement device aforesaid.
The handle of the manipulator acts to make circuit through one of the magnets of
the engagor, through one of the terminals at the manipulator and one of the terminals.
at the engagor. This causes adhesion of the magnet to the disc, which is moving

page_text: with the prime mover or auxiliary motor, and causes movement of the engagor and
therefore of the power regulator. At the same time, the movement of the engagor
operates the interrupting switch so as to break the circuit through the magnet, and
stop further movement of the power regulator by disengaging the magnet from the
disc. As the terminals at the manipulator and those at the interruptor are arranged
in a row, successive movements of the former switch will produce successive excite-
ments of one of the magnets and corresponding interruptions of the exciting circuit..
This invention is adapted to the production of movement of the engagor and power
regulator in either direction at will by exciting one or the other of the two magnets
mounted on the pivoted arms in front of the rotating disc. The manipulator is so
organized that inauguration of movement in one direction works a selecting switch
which insures completion of the common exciting circuit through one magnet, and
inauguration of the opposite movement of the handle insures in like manner selection
of the other magnet.
At the same time, since in moving forward the extreme position of the manipulator
corresponds to a broken circuit at the interruptor near the engagor, it is essential
that, on the return, a circuit shall be remade, and this is to be continued successively
backward, the interruptor breaking the circuit in proportion as the handle is brought
back again. For this purpose a second set of terminals is used at the manipulator
having the opposite progressive arrangement, with relation to the interruptor terminals
to that had by the first named set of terminals. The manipulator includes means
operated by inaugural movements of the handle for selecting which of the two sets of
contacts or terminals at the manipulator shall be put into connection with the
terminals at the interruptor.
A dash pot is used both at the manipulator and the engagor to regulate the move-
ments of each, so that sudden changes are rendered impossible. It is preferred to
control the speed of starting at one point and the speed of stopping at the other.
It is desirable that when by any accident current is cut off, the electric motor
regulator, where such is used, should be automatically returned to normal, or to a
position corresponding to slowest speed. This invention accomplishes this purpose
preferably by the following means.
A piece of spring metal is bent around the disc or a pulley in connection there-
with, the ends being brought out parallel and carrying between them a solenoid
governing a toggle joint so that when the solenoid is energized it tends to hold the
legs apart and thus relieve the pressure exerted by the spring collar and brake shoes
carried thereby upon the disc or pulley. As long as the current which drives the
motor or a part thereof passes through the solenoid, the collar hangs inert in place.
When this current gives out, however, the collar grips the disc or pulley, and pins or
abutments properly placed thereon are brought around by the turning of the pulley into
contact with the magnet carrying arms, forcing them back to the position corre-
sponding to slowest speed.
Where the controlling actuator is run by the motor to be governed, some means
should be used for starting the motor at slowest speed, and the manipulator is
employed in setting in action currents acting as by a relay for this purpose.
In another form of this invention the controlling actuator is a solenoid of con-
siderable power, preferably having two opposing coils of differing resistance. These
coils are in series and are so proportioned that when the current is allowed to pass
through both, its volume is very small. This is the normal action when no active
change of power is taking place, and owing to the opposing influence of these two
solenoid coils its core remains unaffected. Two magnets are used with this form of
the invention also. One of these as long as it is excited, supports an armature
which is adapted to short-circuit the high resistance coil of the solenoid when allowed
to drop. The other magnet holds closed a valve which normally stands open.
valve commands a by-pass around the piston of a cylinder and piston system moving
with the solenoid core. The solenoid core is provided with a spring tending to move
it out of the solenoid, and hence in opposition to the effect of the solenoid when
energized. It is evident that the second magnet above named therefore command a
This

page_text: hydraulic lock, and that, as long as the same is excited the solenoid core is prevented
from moving.
The core acts by a rack and pinion or otherwise to move the power regulator, and
carries the movable member of an interrupting switch, the free end of which moves
over a row of terminals.
These terminals are in electric connection with corresponding terminals in the
manipulator, and they command short circuits around the magnet first above named,
whereby the armature may be made to fall and close a short circuit around the high
resistance coil of the solenoid. In one arrangement the magnet which thus drops its
armature closes a short circuit both around the solenoid high resistance coil and also
around the other (or valve controlling) magnet, thus permitting motion under the
influence of the now excited solenoid. In another form this short circuiting of the
valve controlling magnet is accomplished in the manipulator. The manipulator is
provided with proper selecting switches automatically operated for choosing the proper
switch terminals or the proper magnets as indicated in regard to the form of device
first described.
In one form of the invention, the magnet controlling the solenoid short circuit
instead of being itself short-circuited is provided with two opposing coils, and is
rendered effective or idle according as one, or both, of said coils is or are in use.
The system employed, by only making circuits at the manipulator, and breaking
them at the interruptor, avoids sparks at the point where small parts are desirable,
and relegates them when they occur at all to the interruptor which can easily and
conveniently be made of such massive proportions as to stand the wear and tear for a
long time.
Dated this 11th day of August 1900
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Devices for Controlling Motors at a Distance.
I, JOSEPH CRAWHALL CHAPMAN, of 70, Chancery Lane, County of London,
Chartered Patent Agent, do hereby declare the nature of this invention (which
has been communicated to me from abroad by Edwin Ruthven Gill, of Englewood,
New Jersey, in the United States of America, Electrician), and in what manner
the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and
by the following statement:-
The present invention relates to improved means for controlling the power of
motors of all kinds at a distance from the person exercising such control. The
invention has particular relation to electric motors, and in some of its details it
supplies features particularly useful in relation to electric railways, both where single
cars are used, as in street practice, and where trains are employed.
The elements common to all the forms of the invention are described in the
following specification in a few of the many varieties of arrangement of which they
are susceptible, by reference to the accompanying drawings wherein
Figure 1 shows one form of the invention as applied to any location where
it is convenient to make the main motor supply power for moving its own
controller;
Fig. 2 shows a modified form of controlling system including a convenient
form of interruptor for the magnet circuit, and omitting the motor which drives
the actuating disc;
Fig. 3 shows in elevation the essential parts of one form of the automatic
stopping mechanism, as applied to the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

page_text: Fig. 4 shows in elevation the essential parts of a modification of the current
director shown in Fig. 1 ;
Fig. 5 shows a modification of the arrangement shown in Figs. 1 and 2, better
adapted to many forms of electric railways where trains of cars are used;
Fig. 6 is a section on a larger scale of the motive means for the car controller,
showing a portion of the controller box in elevation;
Fig. 7 is a detail plan view of the electro-magnetic valve used in the arrangement
shown in Fig. 5;
Fig. 8 is a section of the valve shown in Fig. 7;
Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of a modification of the arrangement shown in
Fig. 5, suitable for single cars especially, some details being shown in section for
greater clearness;
Fig. 10 is a top view of the essential parts of the circuit interruptor shown
in Fig. 9; and
Fig. 11 is a section of the combined solenoid core and rack bar which it is
preferred to employ in the arrangements of parts shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 9.
The invention is appropriate for use in governing all kinds of prime movers, as
steam engines, water wheels and so forth and in all of these it is always necessary
to employ what may be termed a power regulator, which directly governs the effort
exerted by the prime mover. In a steam engine this is the throttle valve, in a
water wheel it is the sluice gate and in an electric motor it is usually a rheostat or
multiple coil convertor. In Fig. 1, the power regulator is shown as an ordinary
rheostat 1, having the usual contact arm 2, adapted to move over the
terminals 3.
Where the power regulator of a prime mover is actuated by machinery, some sort
of mechanical device must supply the power to move the regulator. I have called
this the controlling actuator and it is shown in Fig. 1 as a disc of iron or steel 4,
driven by the prime mover itself, in this case the electric motor 5. Any means of
driving the disc 4 from the motor 5 may be used in the invention, but I have shown
as an example, the disc mounted on the armature shaft of the motor.
In order to transmit the movement of the controlling actuator to the power regulator
some kind of controllable engagor is necessary to the form shown in Fig. 1. This
may be of various designs, but the best form known to me is shown in the drawing,
and consists of the two arms 6 and 7 separately pivotted in front of the disc 4,
to which arms are pivotted the two connecting rods 8 and 9 coming together at
the pin 10 on the movable part of the power regulator. On the two arins and
facing the disc 4 are fixed two magnets 11 and 12, by proper control of which
the arms may be engaged with or disengaged from the moving disc 4 at will,
as will be described further on.
In order to properly govern the engagement of the magnets with the disc 4 a
device is used at a distance from the motor 5 which is adapted to be operated by
hand, and I call this the manipulator. In the arrangement of the invention shown
in Fig. 1 this manipulator includes a pivotted lever 13 which carries two brushes 14
and 15 insulated from each other and from the lever 13. For purposes hereinafter
disclosed it becomes necessary to use only one of these brushes at a time, and to
automatically select which of them shall be in circuit according to appropriate
movements of the manipulator. For this purpose a selector is used consisting, in
the form shown in Fig. 1, of the arm 16 pivotted at 17 and hindered in its move-
ment by a dash pot 18 or other appropriate impeding agent. The outer end of this
arm 16 plays between two metallic abutments 19 and 20, on the brushes 14 and 15,
whereby, as the arm moves from one abutment to the other it is brought into
temporary electrical connection with one or the other brush.
The handle of the manipulator is shown at 21 and is T-shaped, being pivotted
at 22. Upon the pivot 22, which turns with the handle 21, a metallic arin 23 is
placed, keeping its place on said pivot owing to the friction caused by the sides of
the split 24 at the base of said arin 23. This arm 23 plays between two terminala 25
and 20 and constitutes with them the magnet solootor whereby the proper magnet

page_text: to be in circuit under various circumstances is automatically selected as hereinafter
described. The terminals 25 and 26 are connected by wires 27 and 28 to the
respective magnets 12 and 11, the opposite ends of the magnet coils having a common
electrical terminus in the arms 6 and 7.
The conventional battery 29 is indicated in Fig. 1 to represent any convenient
source of electric power for operating the power regulator. The voltage need not
ordinarily be high for this purpose. The arm 23 is connected by the wire 30 to
lever 13. The arm 16 is insulated from the lever 13 and each of these latter is
connected to one end of the source of current 29.
In order to transmit motion from the handle 21 to the lever 13 it is preferred to
employ the two slotted arms 31 and 32, which are pivotted in common at 33 on the
lever 13, and have slots at their outer extremities within which the pins 34 and 35
are made to slide. The lever normally remains in its elevated position owing to the
spring 36 or equivalent means,
Under the two brushes 14 and 15 are placed two series of terminals respectively
lettered in the drawing A b¹ e¹, and 62 c2 D. Located near the prime mover and
power regulator is a switch which I call the engagement interruptor, since, as will be
explained, it acts to interrupt the engagement between the magnets and the disc 4.
This switch is operated by movement of the engagor, whatever its nature, and, in
the form specifically shown in Fig. 1, consists of a series of terminals a b c d under
the end of one of the arms 6, said arm being adapted to make contact with said
terminals successively. The terminal a is connected by wire to terminal A in the
manipulator, b connects with b, c with c¹ and d with D.
The parts so far described constitute the power regulator, the engagor, the con-
trolling actuator and the manipulator, together with the circuits necessary for their
operation. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 the prime mover itself moves the
controlling actuator. Therefore some means must be provided for making and
breaking the main circuit and for directing the current to determine in which
direction the armature shall turn. The means for this I have called the current
director. Of course an auxiliary motor may be used, if desired, to turn the con-
trolling actuator, and in this case the power regulator may be used to start the
prime mover in the right direction. Where a steam engine is to be governed, for
instance, this latter would be the proper course.
It con-
In Fig. 1, the current director is shown in the upper right hand corner.
sists of the two solenoids 37 and 38 which have a common terminal at one end of
the battery or other source of current 39. The other ends of the coils 37 and 38
connect by wires 40 and 41 to the two terminals 42 and 43 on either side of the
handle 21. Said handle is adapted to move in contact with one or other of these
terminals 42, 43, according to the direction in which it is turned about its pivot.
Each of the solenoids 37, 38 has its appropriate movable cores 44 45 and down-
ward movement of either one of these cores can be produced by movement of the
handle one way or the other from the position shown in the drawing. Suppose the
handle is thrown to the right, the current will pass from battery 39 through sole-
noid 37, wire 40, terminal 42, handle 21, pivot 22 and wire 46, back to battery.
This will pull down the core 44. Contact of 21 with 43, on the contrary will pull
down the core 45.
The upper ends of the cores 44 and 45 are pivotted to the ends of the cross lever 47,
pivotted at 48, and carrying a depending arm 49 playing between the pins 50 and 51
on the disc 52. This disc is loose on pivot 48 (or might turn with it and with cross
lever 47) and carries two metallic strips 53 and 54 separated by insulation at points
diametrically opposed. The brushes 55 and 56 are arranged to bear on one side or
the other of these insulating pieces according to the position of the disc 52.
The line wire 57 terminates in a lever 58 pivotted at 59 and held in the position
shown by the spring 60. Under the outer end of lever 58 is the corresponding
terminal 61 which is electrically connected with strip 53, The opposite ends of
orosa arm 47 are pivotted to the connecting rods 62, 63, which operate the lever 68
by means of slots working on a common pin, no shown in Fig. 1,

page_text: The wire 64 connects terminal 61 with one of the field magnet terminals of the
electric motor, 65, and the other binding screw 66 is connected by wire 67 to one
binding screw on the resistance box or rheostat 1. The other binding screw on the
rheostat 69 connects to the outgoing line wire 70. The commutator brushes of the
motor are shown at 71 and 72 and are connected by wires 73 and 74 respectively to
brushes 55 and 56. The strip 54 on the disc 52 is connected by wire 75 to outgoing
line wire 70.
It will be clear from this description that the depression of one or the other
solenoid core will cause the depending arm 49 to push against one or the other of
pins 50, 51 and thus turn disc 52 one way or the other. This brings the insulations
between strips 53, 54 above or below brushes 55 and 56, as indicated by dotted and
unbroken lines in the drawing. Consequently movement of the solenoids and dise
will reverse the armature connections of the motor. At the same time, whichever
way the disc 52 is turned by the solenoids, the slotted connecting rods 62 63 bring
lever 58 down on to terminal 61, and thus establish the main driving circuit for the
motor 5. The parts of this current director can easily be so proportioned that the
change of armature connections always takes place on a dead circuit.
It is thus clear that, whenever the handle 21 is moved away from the central
position illustrated, the main circuit is established at 61, and, according as said
handle is moved one way or the other, the armature current travels one way or the
other. The direction of the armature's rotation therefore depends upon the direction
in which the handle 21 is tipped.
The general operation of the parts thus far described is as follows:-
Supposing motor 5 to be driving an elevator and that it is desired to start the car
upward with a gradually accellerated speed. For this purpose the handle 21 is tipped
to the right until it makes contact with terminal 42. As heretofore described,
solenoid 37 will close the motor circuit at 61 and, by throwing disc 52 into the
position shown in unbroken lines, will cause the motor armature to turn in the
direction indicated by the unbroken arrow.
At the same time link 32 will depress lever 13, causing arm 16 to make contact
with abutment 19, thus bringing brush 14 into circuit at the same time that said
brush comes into contact with terminal A. The magnet-selecting arm 23 is tipped
simultaneously with handle 21 and pivot 22, and makes contact with terminal 25,
when, further tipping of handle 21 merely causes pivot 22 to slip within the split
end 24.
It is clear that a circuit will be set up as follows; From battery 29 to lever 13
wire 30, arm 23, terminal 25, magnet 12, arms 7 and 6, terminal a, terminal A,
brush 14, abutment 19 and arm 16 to battery. This causes magnet 12 to adhere to
disc 4 which is rotating with the arrow as above stated. Consequently arms 6 and 7
will tip simultaneously toward the right and the arm 10 of the rheostat 1 will be s
pushed in the direction of the arrow, until one section of resistance is cut out. By
this time the arm 6 will have moved off of terminal a on to b, and circuit through
magnet 12 will thus be interrupted. This will break connection between actuator
disc 4 and the engagor, thus leaving the rheostat with only one section of resistance
cut out.
As soon as greater speed is desired the handle 21 is pushed enough farther to
bring terminal b¹ under brush 14, thus again making circuit of magnet 12, through
terminal b. By continuing this process until brush 14 rests on brush C¹ the
arms 6 and 7 will be thrown all the way to the right, with arm 6 resting on terminal d,
and all resistance cut out. This gives full speed.
4
In slowing the car the reverse operation of handle 21 is had. This causes arm 16
to select brush 15 and discontinue brush 14 and also brings arm 23 against
terminal 26 instead of 25. As soon as brush 15 comes into circuit, current passes
from battery 29 to lever 13, arm 23, terminal 26, magnet 11, terminal d, terminal D,
brush 15, arm 16 to battery. This moves the rheostat arm backward and cuts in one 5
section of resistance.
The gradual cutting in of resistance is accomplished by

page_text: brush 15 moving over terminals D, cb in a manner corresponding to the operation
of speeding up the motor.
To reverse the direction of movement, handle 21 is tipped on to contact 43, and
the operations above described are repeated. The only difference is that, as handle 21
is moved from the centre, the magnet selector 28 touches terminal 26 and magnet 11
is used for speeding up instead of magnet 12. This is necessitated by the reverse
movement of the actuator disc 4, now indicated by the broken arrow.
The terminals A b¹ c¹ are made successively shorter as shown in the drawing in
order that, where full speed is desired immediately, the handle 21 may be thrown at
once all the way to right or left. The overlapping contacts insure maintenance
of circuits at brush 14 in spite of successive breaks at the engagement interruptor
switch a bed.
The same effect in slowing down is produced by the successively shorter
terminals D c² b².
The dash pot 76", or equivalent retarding means may be attached to the arm of
the power regulator, and, by using an adjusting screw 76 in a well known way, the
speed of stopping or starting or both may be regulated independently of the speed
with which the handle 21 is tipped. It is preferred to use this dash-pot for retarding
the starting of the main motor and dash-pot 18 to retard the stopping thereof.
In order to prevent careless reversal of the arinature current by the operator, the
pivot arm 77 may be used, carrying the catch, 78 which drops over the pin 79
on the lower end of the handle 21, when the shoulder 80, on the lever 15 is depressed.
It is clear that the handle 21 can only be thrown past the centre when the lever 13
is raised by its spring to the position illustrated, and consequently time for cutting
in resistance and opening the circuit will always be afforded before reversal of the
armature can be accomplished.
While I have shown, in Fig. 1, a form of controller adapted to four different
speeds, it is clear that the principle of the invention is applicable to any desired
number of speeds.
Fig. 2 illustrates a number of minor modifications of that type of the invention
above described.
.
In Fig. 2, the links 31 32 act by pulling instead of pushing, and are attached on
lever 13, extending below and in front of it, the tendency of the spring 36 is of course
downward in this form. The arm 16 is pivotted differently from the manner shown
in Fig. 1. The abutments 19 and 20 are connected to their proper brushes 14 and 15
by wires, and said brushes are independently pivotted instead of being mounted upon
lever 13. They are moved together by a bar 81 which connects them with bar 16
and insulates them therefrom.
In order to simplify the terminals, the necessary electrical over-lapping is accom-
plished by the fingers 82 and 83, connected to both sets of contacts in the manner
illustrated. This makes it clear that the object of the invention in this regard can
be accomplished by a variety of methods of electrical over-lapping not necessarily
involving mechanical over-lapping of the terminals themselves.
A convenient form of retarding device for the power regulator is shown in Fig. 2
as an air dash-pot 84 having its cylinder and piston rod pivotted respectively to the
pivot of arms 6 and 7 and to pin 10. The degree of retarding action may be regulated
in a well known way by means of a valve-screw 85. The dash-pot 84 has the same
function as 75º.
The engagement interruptor in Fig. 2 consists of a straight series of
terminals a b C de on an insulating base 86 mounted upon the dash-pot 84. The
movable member of this switch is shown at 87, attached by a rod 88 so as to move
with the dash-pot piston rod and therefore with pin 10 on the power regulator.
The controlling actuator is represented by the disc 4.
It is often desirable to provide means whereby, when the electric current fails, the
resistance will be automatically thrown in, so that when current again flows the
apparatus may be safe. In Fig. 3 is shown one means for accomplishing this.
The disc 4 is provided with a brake strap 89 made of spring brass or other resilient

page_text: turn with disc 4.
material which tends to exert pressure on the disc 4, or a pulley on its shaft, through
the brake shoes 90. The ends of the strip 89 are extended to make two parallel
legs 91. Passing through apertures in these legs is a support 92 to which is fastened
a solenoid coil 93, acting upon a core pivotted to two links 94, the outer ends of
which are pivotted to the legs 91. When current is passing through the solenoid,
the links 94 are forced outward and the legs 91 occupy the position shown in Fig. 3,
wherein the pressure of the brake shoes 90 is relieved so that the strip 89 will not
The main current is made to pass, wholly or in part, through the
wire fg, and thus as long as the current continues, the strip 89 hangs idle upon the
disc 4 or its attached pulley. But as soon as the current fails, the legs 91 are
allowed to take up the position shown in dotted lines on the drawing, and the full
pressure of the brake shoes 90 is exerted. This causes the strip 89 to turn with the
disc 4 and brings the offset or pin 95 or 96 into contact with arm 6 or 7 according to
the direction in which the disc 4 has been turning. As these offsets are attached to
the strip 89, they force the arms 6 and 7 back into the position illustrated, which
corresponds to that shown in Fig. 1, and consequently to full stoppage of the
motor.
In Fig. 4 is shown a mode of connecting up the current director solenoids so as to
greatly lessen the tendency to sparks in the manipulator, and at the same time utilize
the motor line circuit for supplying the necessary current.
The solenoids 37 38 when inactive are in series on a branch from the main circuit
into which is preferably inserted the resistance 97. A short circuit around both
solenoids is provided which is broken at 42 43 in the manipulator, and, when the
main motor is inactive, this brake is bridged by the handle 21. This handle is
connected by wire 46 to a point between the two solenoids.
It is clear that, with this arrangement, the exciting current for the solenoids is
never broken, but that one or the other solenoid is short circuited when the handle 21
is tipped one way or the other. The effect of this is to leave the solenoid which
remains in circuit free to depress its core and properly direct the main circuit.
It will be understood that current enters at 98 and leaves at 99.
This arrangement of current director is shown in Fig. 5, in connection with another
type of the invention wherein the controlling actuator is independent of the main
motor.
Of course the current director as shown is not essential in this type, but
has certain advantages when the prime movers to be controlled are electric motors.
In Fig. 5 the manipulator is shown at the top, one current director at the left, and
one controlling actuator in the middle and below the manipulator. The necessary
connecting wires are shown at the two sides, and are continued below, it being under-
stood that any number of actuators and directors may be connected in multiple arc
with said connecting wires, as for instance in a series of cars forming a train.
The same may be said of the use of the type of apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2
and 3.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 5, the two brushes 14 and 15 are mounted upon
the lever 13, as in Fig. 1, but only one selector is necessary, which may be constructed
as follows:-
The arm 16 is replaced by a lever 100, pivotted on the same centre with the lever 13.
Projecting from the lever 100, over and under lever 13, are two abutments 101
and 102, insulated from each other. The abutment 101 is adapted to bear on the
metal strip 103 which connects with the brush 14. Abutment 102 connects in a
similar manner with brush 15 by strip 104. The retarding device 18, of Figs. 1
and 2 should be attached to lever 13, but is omitted from Fig. 5 to avoid
confusion.
Fig. 6 shows the form of controlling actuator shown in diagram in Fig. 5. While
this form is adapted for use with all kinds of prime movers, it is shown in Fig. 6
applied to the ordinary controller box on an electric car, a part of which is shown
at 105. The operating shaft 106, of this controller is provided with means, such as
the spiral spring 107 tending to turn the controller to a position corresponding to
stoppages of the prime mover.

page_text: The controller is operated by means of a gear 108 fastened to the top of shaft 106,
and by a rack 109 better shown in Figs. 9 and 11. The toothed rack 109 is attached
to the magnetic core 110 which is controlled by the solenoid 111. (See Figs. 5, 6
and 9.)
When this solenoid becomes active the core 110 and rack 109 are moved so as to
turn the gear 108 and shaft 106 against the tendency of the spring 107. This
causes the starting and speeding up of the prime mover in any well known
way.
Fig. 9 shows the various agencies governing the controlling actuator of this type,
the power regulator with its shaft and gear being omitted.
The solenoid 111 is wound with two opposing windings 112 and 113, having equal
numbers of turns, so that when these windings are in series the power of the solenoid
is nil. These coils are preferably made of greatly different resistances, as indicated
by the relative blackness of the dotted lines, the darker lines indicating the coils of
lower resistance.
These coils are so proportioned that when in series a negligible current is passing,
and when the high resistance coil 113 is inactive a strong operative current
passes.
The movement of the core 110 is controlled by the co-operation of an interrupting
switch and a hydraulic cylinder preferably containing glycerine. These may be
connected with the core in many ways, and one convenient arrangement is shown
in Fig. 9.
In this form of device a supporting cross bar 114 is fixed to the end of the
core 110; to the top of which bar is attached the movable member of the interrupting
switch, and to the bottom of which is attached the rod 115 which carries the
piston 116, working within the glycerine cylinder 117.
The two ends of the cylinder 117 are connected by a tube 118, through which the
glycerine or other fluid is free to pass when the valve 119 is open. The details of a
preferred form of this valve are shown in Figs. 7 and 8.
The cone valve 119 is controlled by the spring 120 which tends to hold it wide
open. On the top of the valve is fixed an armature 121, controlled by a field
magnet 122 which, when excited by current holds the armature in the position
shown in Fig. 7, keeping the valve closed.
The magnet 123 (see Figs. 5 and 9) acts when excited to support the armature 124
which, when allowed to fall closes a short circuit at 125 as hereinafter described.
Returning now to Fig. 5, it will be seen that when the motor is running at any
desired speed, the handle 21 being tipped either way from the centre, the following
circuit is normally maintained.
From point 61 through low resistance winding 126 on magnet 123. Thence
through magnet 122, and in series through opposing coils 113, 112 of solenoid and
out at 99. The magnet, 122 thus keeps valve 119 closed and locks the solenoid core
in whatever position it occupies.
Supposing the handle 21 to be tipped to the right, and that it is desired to
increase the speed of the prime mover by operation of the controller shaft 106
(see Fig. 6).
On movement of 21 further to the right, the link 31 will pull the lever 100 upward,
and bring abutment 102 against strip 104 on lever 13, until the brush 15 is
moved to the next co-operating terminal G above its initial position.
The effect of the new circuits thus formed will be two-fold, as may be seen in
Fig. 5.
In the first place, the current at 61 will divide at magnet 123, a new branch
thereof passing through the coil 127, on said magnet, thence to abutment 102,
strip 104, brush 15, by appropriate terminal of group G to corresponding terminal a
bed or e by movable meinber 128 of interrupting switch, thence to armature 124,
magnet 122, solenoid coils 113, 112, and out at 99.
The second effect results from the first, for the coil 127 on magnet 123 is so wound
and proportioned as to counteract the effect of coil 126, and cause the armature 124
B

page_text: to fall and close the break at 125. The result will be that the circuit last above
followed out, instead of passing through magnet 122 and high resistance coil 113
of the solenoid, will pass around these by wire 129, directly to the beginning of the
low resistance coil 112 of the solenoid. In other words the valve magnet 122 and
the high resistance solenoid coil 113 are short circuited at 125.
The result of this is that valve 119 will be thrown wide open by spring 120,
and the oil will pass from one side of the piston 116 to the other while the active
coil 112 on the solenoid 111 is drawing in its core 110 and operating the rack and
pinion 109, 108 to throw out resistance from the main motor circuit or otherwise
increase the power of the prime mover.
It is desirable that this movement should always be gradual, and it is therefore
preferred to employ means for retarding the oil movement from rear to front of
piston 116. (See Fig. 9.) At the same time such means should offer as little
impedance as possible to oil flow in the opposite direction, in order to permit of
quick stops for emergencies.
Therefore an automatic valve is used wherein a cone 130, governed preferably by a
set screw 131, restricts the oil movement downward, but is lifted by opposite oil
movement and leaves a clear opening beneath and around it.
The drawing in of core 110 by solenoid coil 112 causes movement of brush 128
over a b c d e and shortly breaks the circuit through magnet coils 127. This causes
magnet 123 to pick up its armature and break the short circuit around the valve
magnet 122 and coils 113. This renders solenoid 111 inactive and stops further
movement of the core 110. At the same time, magnet 122 acts to close valve 119,
and prevent oil movement thus locking the core 110 and brush 128 in place. The
new degree of power thus produced will therefore remain constant until handle 21 is
again moved.
To cause opposite movement of the controller shaft 106, handle 21 is moved nearer
the centre. This brings abutment 101 against strip 103, and puts brush 14 into
circuit. As will be seen in the drawing this results in short-circuiting magnet 122
only, while still leaving coil 113 in series with 112 and thus leaving the solenoid
inactive. This short circuit takes place through the appropriate contact of group H,
and through the interrupting switch a b c d e. The result of this short circuit is to
permit the valve 119 to open, thus permitting the spring 107 (see Fig. 6) to draw
core 110 out of the solenoid 111 and operate gear 108 and consequently the
regulator 105 to decrease the power of the prime mover.
The descriptions above given of the interrupting switch and its co-operation with
brushes 14 and 15 will make it clear that either increase or decrease of prime mover
power can be produced gradually or quickly at will by appropriate movements of
the handle 21.
Figs. 9 and 10 illustrate the flexibility of the system, and a few of the useful
modifications possible in connection with it.
This form of the invention is adapted to those situations wherein either the prime
mover runs always in one direction or its reversal is accomplished by mechanism
independent of the manipulator handle 21.
The selectors in this form are both friction arms 132, 133, turning with the
pivot 22 between proper terminals as illustrated.
The terminals between which plays the arm 132 are connected respectively to the
line wire and to the wire connecting one side of magnet 122 with coil 113.
The terminals at the arm 133 are connected to the two insulated halves of the
movable member of the interrupting switch 128, 128*.
Inspection of the circuits of Fig. 9, in the light of the explanations already given
will show that the results accomplished in the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 will be
accomplished in the form shown in Fig. 9 by only a single coil on magnet 113, since
the arinature 124 is dropped by short-circuiting said magnet instead of counteracting
its effective winding. Also, magnet 122 is short-circuited at the manipulator instead
of by armature 124.

page_text: Innumerable modifications in the details of the invention may be made without
departing from its true scope.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. The means for controlling motors, comprising a power regulator, a suitably
driven controlling actuator, an electro-magnet engagor adapted to cause engagement
between said regulator and actuator, the electric circuits for energizing said engagor,
an engagement interruptor moving with said engagor for controlling said circuits at
one set of terminals and a manipulator for controlling said circuits at another set of
terminals.
2. In means for controlling motors, a power regulator, a controlling actuator, an
engagor adapted to cause frictional engagement between said regulator and said
actuator, the means for automatically interrupting said engagement and an adjustable
retarding device attached to said regulator.
3. In means for controlling electric motors, the use of a power regulator, a con-
trolling actuator, an electro-magnetic engagor adapted when energized to engage and
be operated by the said actuator to operate the said regulator, an electro-magnetic
current director for controlling the electric circuit for energizing the motor to be
governed, and a manipulator for simultaneously controlling said engagor and said
current director.
4. In means for producing controlled movements at a distance, an engagement
interrupting switch, an engagement producing switch having terminals connected to
appropriate terminals in said engagement interrupting switch, one or more brushes
moving over the terminals of the engagement producing switch, and means for keeping
one terminal of the interrupting switch in circuit after the brush has reached the
next corresponding terminal in the engagement producing switch.
5. In controlling motors the use of a rotary disc, one or more electro-magnets
adapted when energized to be attracted to said disc, a circuit for energizing said
magnet or magnets and a switch in said circuit actuated by movement of said magnet
or magnets.
6. For use in controlling motors, a disc adapted to revolve, an electro-magnet
adapted when energized to be attracted to said disc, a circuit for energizing said
magnet, a switch actuated by movement of said magnet and the means for com-
pleting the energizing circuit through the stationary terminals of said switch
successively.
7. For use in controlling motors, a rotary disc and an electro-magnet pivotally
mounted in front of said disc and adapted when energized to be attracted to said
disc; in combination with a brush moving with said magnet and electrically connected
with the coils of said magnet, a series of stationary terminals in the path of move-
ment of said movable brush, and the means for completing the magnet circuit through
said stationary terminals successively.
8. In controlling motors, the means for converting rotary movement in one direc-
tion into corresponding movements in opposite directions at will, comprising a rotary
disc, two motive levers inounted upon a common pivot in front of said disc, two con-
necting bars pivotted at the point of reverse movement and extending respectively to
pivots at the extremities of said motive levers an electro-magnet on each of said
motive levers adapted when energized to be attracted to said disc, and means for
energizing one or the other of said magnets at will, substantially as set forth.
9. In controlling motors, the means for controlling the successive electrical engage-
ments, comprising a series of stationary electric terminals near the point of engage-
ment, a second series of stationary terminals near the point of control, one of which
is in circuit with one of the extreme terminals of said first series, the others being in
circuit with the intermediate terminals of said first series; and a third series of
stationary terminals near the point of control, one of which is in circuit with the
opposite extreme terminal of said first series, the others being in circuit with the

page_text: intermediate terminals of said first series; in combination with a source of current,
two brushes moving respectively over said second and third series of stationary
terminals and the ineans for bringing one or the other movable terminal in circuit
with said source of current.
10. In a circuit governing switch for use in controlling motors, two sets of stationary
terminals, a pivotted lever moving over the same and carrying one end of the circuit
to be governed; in combination with a brush selector whereby the circuit end on
said lever may be brought into electrical relation with one or the other set of
stationary terminals.
11. In a circuit governing switch for use in controlling motors, two sets of stationary
terminals and two brushes adapted to move together over said two sets of terminals
respectively; in combination with the means for moving said brushes, and a switch
operatively connected to said moving means for bringing one or the other of said
movable brushes into the circuit to be governed.
12. In means for controlling motors, a selecting switch, comprising a pivotted lever,
two insulated brushes carried thereby, a selecting lever pivotted to said switch lever,
a circuit-making stop on each side of said selecting lever connected respectively to
said insulating brushes, and means tending to resist movement of said selecting
lever in unison with said switch lever.
13. In means for controlling motors, a means for selecting and controlling electro-
magnetic engagement comprising two engaging magnets and an engagement switch
co-operating therewith; in combination with an operator or manipulator for said
engagement switch, and an engagement selector closing circuit through one or the
other of said engaging magnets when said operator or manipulator is moved in one
direction or the other at any point in its path of movement.
14. In controlling motors, the means for selecting and controlling electro-magnetic
engagement with the actuator, comprising two engaging magnets, an engagement
interruptor near said magnets, and an engagement switch co-operating therewith; in
combination with an operator or manipulator adapted to produce similar movements
of said engagement switch on each side of a middle position, and an engagement
selector closing circuit through one or the other of said engaging magnets when
said operator or manipulator is moved in one direction or the other at any point in its
path of movement.
15. For use in controlling motors, a pivotted switch lever, (13) a pivotted operator
or manipulator (21) therefor, two links (31 and 32) pivotted to said switch lever and a
pin on each side of the pivot of said operator engaging respectively with said links ;
in combination with a selecting switch comprising a swinging contact lever (23)
having a frictional support on the axis of said operator.
16. A current director for use in means for controlling motors, comprising a circuit
reverser, and a motive lever therefor adapted to operate said reverser when moved in
either direction from a central position; in combination with a circuit closer, means
tending to hold the same open normally and means connecting said motive lever with
said circuit closer so that the circuit is closed when said motive lever is moved away
from its central position.
17. In means for controlling motors, a pivotted switch lever, a pivotted operator
therefor, two links pivotted to said switch lever, and a pin on each side of the
pivot of said operator engaging respectively with the links; in combination
with a selecting switch comprising a swinging contact lever actuated by said operator.
18. In a manipulator for control of motors or mechanism at a distance involving
alternate use of a plurality of magnets, comprising a controlling lever, a switch
lever movable thereby for operating electric connections extending to each
of said magnets, and a magnet selector for bringing one of said magnets at a
time into circuit.
19. In a manipulator for control of motors or mechanism at a distance involving
alternate use of two magnets, a controlling lever, a switch movable thereby for
operating electric connections extending to both of said magnets, and a magnet

page_text: selecting switch making frictional engagement with said controlling lever so as to
permit lost movement.
20. In controlling motors, a manipulator for the electric circuits, comprising a
main switch lever, a selecting lever pivotted to said main lever, one end of said
selecting lever playing between two terminals and the other end operating separately
pivotted brushes respectively connected with said terminals.
21. In a manipulator for use with electric circuits in controlling motors, two
separately pivotted brushes connected to move together each over its own series of
stationary terminals, in combination with fingers, as 82, 83 touching one of said
brushes to cause overlapping of electric connection as described.
22. In a manipulator for use with electric circuits in controlling motors a main
switch lever, a pivotted selecting lever thereon, and two slotted links pivotted to
said selecting lever and adapted to be moved by pins on an operating handle working
in the slots in said links.
23. In a controlling device of the character described for use in controlling
motors, a dash pot pivotted between the magnet carrying arms, as 6 and 7, and
the power regulator, as 10, fixed terminals of an interrupting switch on said dash
pot, and a brush moving with the power regulator, substantially as described in
reference to Fig. 2, to make contact with said terminals successively.
24. In means for controlling motors, a power regulator, a controlling actuator
therefor and retarding means for enforcing gradual movement of the regulator; in
combination with a manipulator governing said actuator and retarding means for
enforcing gradual movement thereof, one of said retarding means being arranged to
retard movement corresponding to increase of power and the other being arranged to
retard movement corresponding to decrease of power.
25. In controlling motors the means for stopping machinery, comprising a clutch
normally tending to grip a moving portion of the machine, electro-magnetic means
for governing said gripping action, a circuit therefor, and a stopping mechanism
in the path of said clutch when it moves with the machine on gripping the
same.
26. In controlling motors, the means for automatically stopping electric machinery,
comprising a clutch normally tending to grip a moving portion of the machine,
electro-magnetic means in the driving circuit of the machine for counteracting said
gripping tendency, and stopping mechanism operated by movement of said clutch
when it grips said machine.
27. In means for automatically arresting electric machinery, two arms as 6 and 7,
for normally stopping the same, a pulley on said machine, a spring strap brake on
said pulley tending to grip the same, a solenoid in the driving circuit tending to
take off said brake, and abutments on said strap brake for operating one or the other
of said arms for stopping the machine.
28. In a current director for use in controlling motors, a reversing switch, two
opposed solenoids for operating the same, and a circuit through both in series, a
short circuit normally around both, and means for breaking the short circuit through
either solenoid at will.
29. In a manipulator for electric circuits in controlling motors, a pivotted reversing
handle, as 21, pins on opposite sides of the pivot thereof, a pivotted selecting arm,
as 100, slotted links, pivotted to said arm and sliding on said pins, metallic abutments
on the selecting arm, and a pivotted switch lever extending between said abutments
and carrying two brushes adapted to make electric contact with the respective
abutments.
30. In a manipulator for electric circuits in controlling motors, a pivotted lever,
as 13, carrying two brushes, and a selecting arm, as 100, carrying electric terminals
or abutments adapted to push said lever either way and make electric connection
with said brushes respectively.
31. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a power regulator of any
kind, a solenoid operating the same in one direction, and a spring tending to operate
it in the opposite direction; in combination with a hydraulio cylinder and piston
0

page_text: moving with said solenoid, and a valve governing the action of said solenoid by
regulating the flow of liquid in said hydraulic cylinder.
32. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a solenoid for producing
increase or decrease of power, a hydraulic cylinder and piston moving with said
solenoid, a tube for permitting flow of liquid from end to end of said cylinder
around said piston, a valve in said tube, and an electro-magnetic device for
governing said valve.
33. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a solenoid for producing
increase or decrease of power, a hydraulic cylinder and piston moving with said
solenoid, a tube for permitting flow of liquid from end to end of said cylinder around
said piston, and an automatic valve in said tube for retarding said flow in one
direction while offering no substantial resistance in the opposite direction.
34. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a power regulator, a
controlling actuator therefor comprising a solenoid and core, said solenoid having two
coils of practically equal opposing magnetic effects, and means for cutting one of said
coils out of circuit at will.
35. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a power regulator, a
controlling actuator comprising a solenoid and core, said solenoid having two coils of
practically equal opposing magnetic effects, a short circuit, as 125, around one of said
coils, a magnet for keeping said short circuit open, and means for short-circuiting
said magnet at will.
36. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a power regulator, a
controlling actuator comprising a solenoid and core, said solenoid having two coils
of practically equal opposing magnetic effects, a short circuit, as 125, around one of
said coils, a magnet for keeping said short circuit open, a winding on said magnet
coiled so as to counteract the active coils thereof, and means for passing current
through said counteracting winding.
37. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a power regulator, a
controlling actuator comprising a solenoid and core, said solenoid having two coils of
practically equal opposing magnetic effects, but one being of higher resistance than
the other, and means for cutting said high resistance solenoid coil out of circuit
at will.
38. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, a solenoid having
opposing windings a hydraulic cylinder and piston governing the movements of said
solenoid, a valve controlling the liquid flow in said cylinder a magnet governing said
valve, a short circuit around said magnet and one of said opposing coils, and a second
magnet governing said short circuit.
39. For use in a system of electrically controlling motors, an interrupting switch
wherein the movable member has two insulated brushes touching different stationary
terminals, two magnets for governing the controlling actuator, and a manipulator
comprising two automatic selectors, such as 132, 133, Fig. 9, for selecting one or the
other magnet, and one or the other brush of the interrupting switch, respectively.
40. The improved means for controlling motors substantially as herein described
in reference to Fig. 1, subject to the modifications or additions described in reference
to Figs. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9 of the accompanying drawings.
Dated this 10th day of May 1899