Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 13th Feb., 1888
Specification Accepted, 6th Apr., 1888
I, MARSHALL WHEELER of Ottawa, Canada, Inventor, 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 an improvement in incandescent electric lamps; and it
consists in the combination of a suitable holder, frame, or cup, which is filled with an
amorphous mass of zirconia, with a number of pairs of carbons, which extend into
the frame, or cup, and around the points of which the zirconia is packed, each pair
of carbons being connected to opposite poles of a suitable battery, whereby the
currents of electricity are made to flow in opposite directions, meeting and passing
each other at a common centre, as will be more fully described hereinafter.
The object of my invention is to obtain a greater degree of heat and consequently
a greater incandescence at a given point than has hitherto been found possible in
incandescent lamps.
Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings is a perspective of a lamp embodying my
invention.
Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal vertical sections taken through the body of the lamp;
and showing connections of the carbons of the batteries.
A represents the cup or frame which may be given any desirable shape, and which
is made of platinum, soapstone, or any other suitable material which will withstand
the instense heat which is generated by the currents of electricity passing through it.
Extending horizontally through suitable binding posts B, which are arranged in any
desired relation to the cup A, and through the sides of the cup A are the carbons C,
which are arranged in pairs, as shown, the inner points of the carbons being made to
approach each other at a common centre.
These carbons are insulated from the cup A, if so desired, and have their inner ends
completely surrounded by a mass of amorphous zirconia which is packed in the cup.
To the outer end of each of the carbons C, is connected one of the wires leading
from one of the poles to a suitable battery. For each pair of carbons there is a
separate and distinct battery D, and the carbons are connected to the wires of the
battery, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The currents of electricity in passing through
Price fid 1

page_text: the carbons meet and pass at the points of the carbons, which may be made of one
solid piece or composed of a number of pieces so as to form one whole. These
carbons may be used with or without a vacuum just as may be preferred.
The zirconia being packed solidly around the points in the cup, acts as a protector
from the atmosphere, and hence the carbons are burned away very slowly. The kind
of spring used, or the point to which it is attached at its fixed end is immaterial. In
making all four carbons in one solid piece as shown, they can be inserted more quickly
into position than where they are made separate and distinct, and without any necessity
for adjusting their points in relation to each other. In order to allow the carbons to
be placed in position in one solid mass, the edge of the cup must of course be provided
with movable blocks, or pieces which can be removed, and then the carbons slipped
down into the position as shown in Fig. 1. As fast as the carbons are consumed they
are fed forward by the springs X, which bear against their outer ends.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an electric lamp, the combination of a suitable frame, or holder, containing
an amorphous mass of zirconia, with the carbons, arranged in pairs, and connected to
different batteries, substantially as shown.
2. In incandescent lamps, the combination of a suitable frame, containing a mass
of amorphous zirconia, with carbons, which have their inner ends surrounded by the
zirconia, and which are connected to different batteries, whereby the currents of
electricity are made to pass each other at a common centre, substantially as set
forth.
3. In an incandescent lamp, the method described of heating zirconia to the point
of incandescence by passing through the carbons currents of electricity, which are
made to pass each other at a common centre, substantially as set forth.
4. The carbons C, formed in one solid piece, and arranged in relation to each other,
substantially as specified.
Dated this 13th day of February 1888.