IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT TO ELECTRIC LAMPS ON VESSELS THAT MAY BE STATIONARY OR UNDER WAY OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES AND ALSO APPLICABLE ON LAND FOR LIGHTING VESSELS OR OTHER FLOATING OR MOVABLE BODIES "
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alexander Leslie Fyfe of Loughboro Park in the County
of Surrey and Louis Goldberg of Love Lane in the City of London for an
Invention of "IMPROVED MEANS AND APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE
TRANSMISSION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT TO ELECTRIC LAMPS ON VESSELS
THAT MAY BE STATIONARY OR UNDER WAY OR FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES
AND ALSO APPLICABLE ON LAND FOR LIGHTING VESSELS OR OTHER FLOATING
OR MOVABLE BODIES "
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Alexander Leslie Fyfe and
Louis Goldberg at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the
7th August 1883.
ALEXANDER LESLIE FYFE of Loughboro Park in the County of Surrey and
LOUIS GOLDBERG of Love Lane in the City of London "IMPROVED MEANS AND
APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT
TO ELECTRIC LAMPS ON VESSELS THAT MAY BE STATIONARY OR UNDER WAY OR
FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES [AND] ALSO APPLICABLE ON LAND FOR LIGHTING
VESSELS OR OTHER FLOATING OR MOVABLE BODIES
"
The object of our Invention is to produce a complete arrangement on one vesse!
or barge for the temporary lighting up of ships during their passage through
rivers, canals, or other waterways, or during lading, discharging, or other operations
where the electric current was heretofore impracticable or unavailable; or for the
illumination of harbours, waterways, buildings or warehouses by a floating electric
lighting station or otherwise by the means hereafter described.
It is well known that at the present time in such places as the Suez Canal, (for
example) ships are unable by the rules of the Company to prosecute their journeys
after dark or for, more than 16 hours, at the most, out of the 24, and at some
seasons of the year for a much shorter period.
Our Invention consists in arranging in a flat bottomed or other barge the boilers
and engine for the production of the power necessary to drive the dynamo or
dynamos to generate the electric current, such motive power in some cases being
IPrice 8d 1

page_text: employed for the propulsion of the vessel, which vessel would be propelled
advantageously by a separate engine when required, or it may be tugged. At
a short distance from the dynamo on the deck or other convenient place we attach
two reels one for the positive wire and one for the negative or return wire to
compensate for the varying space between the said barge and the vessel. These reels
around which the leads are wound have on one side or other convenient part a
device such as a weight or spring or such means as are hereafter described which
will maintain approximately the same tension on the wire or wires passing ahead
and on the return wire or wires from the ship' to be lighted and at the same time
allowing for the vessel's going suddenly ahead. The means that we employ for
this purpose are two reels as before described around which the respective wires
of a convenient length are wound through the whole length of which the
current is caused to pass on its way to the lamps on the ship or other place to
be lighted.
On the axis of each reel we provide a copper or other metallic ring upon which
bears a metallic contact in connection with the one terminal of the electric
generator or other source of electric energy and another contact with á ring in
connection with the other terminal. When the steamer or other vessel or the
barge goes suddenly ahead the "leads" are uncoiled without affecting the electric
connection and a continuous current to the lamps to be lighted is thereby ensured.
In the case of such a barge preceding or following a vessel a convenient length of
wire can be given out and in the latter case at such a distance as not to affect the
steerage of the vessel,
-
By this arrangement we may dispense with springs or weights to draw in the
wire and employ a suitable hand gear or a gear in connection with the engine for
the purpose. The said gear according to one modification can only wind in the
desired direction but is free to turn in the other by the employinent of
pawl or ratchet engaging with ratchet teeth. In some cases a single clutch
arrangement may be used for the purpose of connecting the gear with the drum
or drums.
In cases where the leads hang in festoons a considerable length may be pulled
out and the weight at the bottom of each festoon effecting the necessary tension
on the wires.
In carrying this part of our Invention into effect we propose to pass the wires
from their respective drums or connections (or it may be one drum or reel as the
case may bo) around rolls having fixed bearings, and the festoons having a weight or
roll with deep flanges, and we propose that such rolls should have protruding axes
to work in upright grooves to guide and ensure the position of the festoons. On
the vessel or barge going ahead the wires that are drawn out raise the weights or
rolls successively.
In ships of large tonnage where more than one light is required a smaller reel
or festoon may be introduced between cach lamp to allow of its being raised and
lowered, at will, without in any way interfering with the absoluté necessity of a
continuous and uniform current for cach lamp.
It will be obvious to practical seamen and others using contracted waterways
that in some cases the barge could be towed by the vessel using the light or as
a tug but in the Suez Canal for instance the fact of the barge being towed astern
would have such an effect on the steerage of the vessel as to greatly impede her
free progress and increase the ever present danger of her running ashore but the
herein before described improvements obviates these difficulties.
We would have it understood that the application of the herein before described
improvements of compensating mechanism may be employed from ship to ship, or
from ship to shore, or from shore to ship or other movable bodies.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Lotters Patent filed
by the said Alexander Leslie Fyfe and Louis Goldberg in the Patent Office
on the 7th February 1884.
J
ALEXANDER LESLIE FYFE of Loughboro' Park in the County of Surrey and
LOUIS GOLDBERG of Love Lane in the City of London "IMPROVED MEANS AND
APPARATUS TO BE EMPLOYED IN THE TRANSMISSION OF THE ELECTRIC CURRENT
TO ELECTRIC LAMPS ON VESSELS THAT MAY BE STATIONARY OR UNDER WAY OR
FOR OTHER SIMILAR PURPOSES AND ALSO APPLICABLE ON LAND FOR LIGHTING
VESSELS OR OTHER FLOATING OR MOVABLE BODIES"
'
The object of one part of our invention is to produce a complete arrangement on
one vessel or barge for the temporary lighting up of ships during their passago
through rivers, canals, or other water ways, or during lading, discharging, or other
operations, where an electric current has horotofore been impracticable or unavailable
for the purpose.
Another application of our invention is for the illumination of harbours, water-
ways, buildings, or warehouses, from a floating electric light station or otherwise,
by the means hereafter described.
It is well known, that, at the present time, in such places as the Suez Canal, for
example, ships are unable by the rules of the Company to prosecute their journey
after dark, or for more than 16 hours, at the most, out of the 24, and, at some
seasons of the year, for a much shorter period.
Our invention consists in arranging in a flat bottomed or other barge, the boilers
and ongine for the production of the power necessary to drive the dynamo or
dynamos to generate the electric current, such motive power in some cases being
employed for the propulsion of the vessel, which vessel would be propelled
advantageously by a separate engine when required, or it may be tugged.
At a short distance from the dynamo, on the deck, or other convenient place, we
attach one or more reels, to carry a quantity of the positive and negative wires
which are capable of being drawn out, to compensate for the varying space between
the said harge and the vessel, without affecting the electric supply. These reels,
around which the leads are wound, have, on one side or other convenient part, a
device such as a weight or spring, or such means as are hereafter described, which
will maintain approximately the same tension on the wire or wires passing ahead
and on the return wire or wires from the ship to be lighted, and at the same time
allowing for the vessel's going ahead suddenly. The means that we employ for this
purpose are two reels, as before described, around which the respective wires of a
convenient length are wound, though the whole length of which the current is
caused to pass on its way to the lamps on the ship or other place to be lighted.
On the axis of each reel we provide a copper or other metallic ring, upon which
bears a metallic contact, in connection with the one terminal of the electric
generator or other source of electric energy, and another contact with a ring in
connection with the other terminal. When the steamer or other vessel or the
barge goes suddenly ahead, the leads are uncoiled without affecting the electric
connection, and a continuous current to the lamps to be lighted, or other electrical
requirement, is thereby ensured. In the case of such a barge proceeding or
following a vessel, a convenient length of wire can be given out, and in the latter
case at such a distance as not to affect the steerage of the vessel.
By this arrangement we may dispense with springs or weights to draw in the
wire, and employ a suitable hand gear, or a gear in connection with the engine for
the purpose. The said gear, according to one modification, can only wind in the

page_text: desired direction, but it is free to turn in the other, by the employment of pawl
or ratchet engaging with ratchet-teeth. In some cases a single clutch arrangement
may be used for the purpose of connecting the gear with the drum or drums.
In cases where the leads hang in festoons, a considerable length may be pulled
out, the weight at the bottom of each festoon effecting the necessary tension on the
wires.
In carrying this part of our invention into effect, we propose to pass the wires
from their respective drums or connections, or it may be one drum or reel. as the
case may be, around rolls having fixed bearings, the festoons having a weight or
roll with deep flanges, and we propose that such rolls should have protruding axes,
to work in upright grooves, to guide and ensure the position of the festoons. On
the vessel or barge going ahead, the wires that are drawn out raise the weights or
rolls successively.
In ships of large tonnage where more than one light is required, a smaller reel
or festoon may be introduced between each lamp, to allow of its being raised and
lowered at will, without in any way interfering with the absolute necessity of a
-continuous and uniform current for each lamp.
It will be obvious to practical seamen and others using contracted waterways,
'that in some cases the barge could be towed by the vessel using the light, or as a
tug, but in the Suez Canal, for instance, the fact of the barge being towed astern
would have such an effect on the stoerage of the vessel as to greatly impede her
free progress, and increase the ever present danger of her running ashore, but tho
hereinbefore described improvements obviate these difficulties.
Wo would have it understood that the application of the herein before described
improvements of compensating mechanism may be employed from ship to ship, or
- from ship to shore, or from shore to ship; or other movable bodies on land, for
transmitting electricity, and may be employed in connection. with telephonic or
telegraphic apparatus, whereby the leads and apparatus can be taken to any room
or part without affecting electrical contact or supply.
In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a front elevation of the reel or reels,
showing one coil of wire in section. Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figure 3 is a sectional olevation through drum. Figure 4 is a section through
middle disc, showing the carrying flanges, and Figure is a section through the
side disc, with its internal ring of teeth and pinion.
AA are the reels mounted on a disc B having its bearings at each side in the
standards C. C. The axis B carries a ring D which is insulated therefrom, and
electrical contact is made with the ring by a plate or brush E, in a similar mannor
to the commutators in general use on dynamo machines. The brush or plate E is
pivotted at F, and at the other end of the arm there is a swivel nut G, into which
the screwed axis H of the hand wheel I works, and by which means contact is
offected or the current shut off at will by the attendant.
The one end of the coil of wire is connected with the ring D as shown at K,
whilst the other end of the coil is connected to the distant apparatus, so that even
whilst the wire is being drawn out, contact is still maintained. The leads from the
dynamo, or other source of electricity, are connected to the respective terminals L
on the contact maker E before referred to.
When it is desired to draw in the wires, the drums can be rotated by gear wheels,
that is to say, one side of the drum can be provided with an internal ring of
teeth M, and into them engages a spur pinion N, which can be rotated either by
hand, or by power, but, in the figures, we have shewn it actuated by an ordinary
handle O connected to the pinion N by a clutch, so that in dealing out the wire,
the handle will not turn. Or, to obviate the use of a clutch, we may employ a
handle having an ordinary square socket.
In the application of these improvements to barges as before described, we have
illustrated the same in Figure 7 which is a part longitudinal section.
Q is the barge, R is an ordinary portable engine transmitting power to a counter
shaft from which the dynamo S is driven,

page_text: T is one of the leads connected to the contact makor pivotted on the standard C.
A is the reel shewing one wire passing away over a friction or carrying pulley U,
supported by struts or in any other convenient way but we find it advantageously
effected by the means shown.
It is obvious that the reels A A may be independent of each other, or, in some
cases where they are mounted side by side, their axis B may be divided in the
centre as shew in Figure 6, insulated by the disc or plate b, and coupled in any
convenient manner, as for example by flanges b' and bolts.
In this figure the leads are or may be connected to the standards C. C. and the
current directed to the axis B through the bearings, the inner ends of the wires in
the reels being connected to their respective ends of B as shewn.
Figure 8 illustrates the festoon principle as applied to a barge. wis the frame
carrying the sheaves . y are the weighted rollers or pulleys forming the festoons,
and guided in their vertical movements by the guides 2. The other parts are
indicated by letters corresponding with Figure 7.
In cases where the festoons are employed the current can be cut off by any
convenient device, as a shunt, or disconnected from the terminals, and in the cases
of Figures 1. 2 and 3, the contact plate need not necessarily be adjustable, as, in
these cases, the wires may also be disconnected from the terminals, or the current
otherwise shunted, without departing from our invention.
Having thus described our invention, and in what manner the same is carried
into effect, we would have it understood that what we claim is :-
First The means herein before described and illustrated for the transmission of
the electric current to movable objects, or objects capable of moving, or being moved,
and consisting of one or more reels, carrying a quantity of the positive and negative
wires, the one end thereof being connected to a ring or to the axis, on to which a
controllable or fixed contact piece bears (or has its bearing), the electric current
being directed from the dynamo or other source of electric energy therethrough, to
the coils of wire, whereby, when the wire is being uncoiled, the continuity of the
current is not affected, substantially in the manner herein set forth.
Second-The construction of apparatus for effecting the objects of our invention
and as described and illustrated with reference to Figures 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 and 7 of
the accompanying drawings.
Third The means herein described and illustrated with reference to the festoon
principle, and as shewn in Figure 8 of the accompanying drawings.
In witness whereof we the said Alexander Leslie Fyfe and Louis Goldberg have
hereunto set their bands and seals this Seventh day of February in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
A. L. FIRE
(140.)
Witness
HENRY HARINGTON LEIGH
of the firm of Phillips & Leigh
Patent Agents
22 Southampton Buildings, W.C.
A. L. FINE
LOUIS GOLDBERG (LS.)