IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Thomson King of Liverpool in the County of
Lancaster Patent Agent for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS
OR APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING ELECTRIC CURRENTS Com-
municated from abroad by Joseph R. Finney of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania
one of the United States of America
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Thomson King at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd December 1882.
JOHN THOMSON KING of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Patent Agent,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING
ELECTRIC CURRENTS [Communicated from abroad by Joseph R Finney of
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania one of the United States of America]
"
This invention relates to apparatus or appliances for automatically regulating
electric currents supplied to a circuit, by a dynamo electric machine or other
generator of electricity, so as to render the said current proportionate to the work
to be done.
The invention consists essentially in the combination of a bar, needle, core, helix,
electro magnet or like appliance constructed and arranged to receive motion from
the passage of an electric current through a main or subsidiary circuit with a
movable brush, contact maker or equivalent. The above mentioned bar or like
appliance is connected to the brush or equivalent by means of pulleys cords wires
levers or other suitable devices and the brush or equivalent is arranged to move
on a lever, slide or as may otherwise be desirable, in contact with the armature or
other part having like functions of a dynamo electric machine or source of electricity,
say such as an accumulator or battery. Springs weights or stops may be used to
control the extent of motion of the parts.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
Any variation in resistance of electric current in a main or subsidiary circuit
due to the lighting or extinguishing of lamps or otherwise causes motion to be

page_text: imparted to the bar or like appliance above mentioned. The motion of the said
bar or like appliance is communicated through the connections to the brush
contact maker or equivalent and the relative portion of the said brush, contact
maker or equivalent and the armature or part having like functions is s0
altered that the quantity of the electric current passing through the main or
subsidiary circuit is increased or diminished to the required extent. When used
for lighting the connections are reversed according as the main or subsidiary
circuit is arranged to operate in multiple arc or in series.
More than one of the improved regulators may be used in connection with one
source of electricity and the said regulator may be constructed with more than one
bar, or like appliance, and brush or equivalent. One regulator may serve to
regulate the current from more than one source of electricity.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said John Thomson King in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
31st May 1883.
JOHN THOMSON KING of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster, Patent Agent,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS OR APPLIANCES FOR AUTOMATICALLY REGULATING
ELECTRIC CURRENTS A communication from abroad by Joseph R. Finney of
Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, one of the United States of America
"
This invention relates to apparatus or appliances for automatically regulating
electric currents supplied to a circuit by a dynamo electric machine or other
generator of electricity so as to render the said currents proportionate to the work
to be done.
The invention consists essentially in the combination of a bar, needle, core helix,
electro magnet or like appliance constructed and arranged to receive motion from
the passage of an electric current through a main or subsidiary circuit with a
movable brusb, contact maker or equivalent. The above mentioned bar or like
appliance is connected to the brush or equivalent by means of pullies cords wires
levers or other suitable devices and the brush or equivalent is arranged to move on
a lever slide, or as may otherwise be desirable in contact with the armature or
other part having like functions of a dynamo electric machine or source of
electricity say such as an accumulator or battery.
Springs weights or stops may be used to control the extent of motion of
the parts.
The action of the apparatus is as follows:-
Any variation in resistance of electric current in a main or subsidiary circuit
due to the lighting or extinguishing of lamps or otherwise causes motion to be
imparted to the bar or like appliance above mentioned. The motion of the said
bar or like appliance is communicated through the connections to the brush,
contact maker or equivalent and the relative position of the said brush contact
maker or equivalent and the armature or part having like functions is so altered
that the quantity of the electric current passing through the main or subsidiary
circuit is increased or diminished to the required extent. When used for lighting
the connections are reversed according as the main or subsidiary circuit is arranged
to operate in multiple arc or in series.
More than one of the improved regulators may be used in connection with one
source of electricity and the said regulator may be constructed with more than one
bar, or like appliance and brush or equivalent. One regulator may serve to
regulate the current from more than one source of electricity.

page_text: Figure is a view showing the application or a galvanometer to regulate the
position of the brushes.
Figure 9 is a modification of figure 8.
Figure 10, shows a regulator similar to figure 8, but differing therefrom in the
fact that the galvanometer is provided with a core.
Figure 11 shows the regulator of figure 8 applied to operate an adjustable
resistance.
Like letters of reference indicate like parts in each view.
In figures 1 and 2 the end of the arinature of the machine is shown at a and
the commutator at b. The commutator brushes c are secured on arms d' which
project from the lever d, and at their rear ends are sustained, so as to prevent.
sagging, by a segmental support d². The lever d is .mounted on the armature
shaft a, and may be turned freely thereon in order to change the position of the
brushes c on the commutator. The segmental support de rests and moves on
friction rollers e which are secured to the bed of the machine, and is made of an
insulating material, or has an insulator so placed in it, as to prevent the danger of
the short circuiting of the machine at that point.
:
Attached to the arms are segmental conducting contacts ƒ against which bear
the spring conductors g which lead to the poles of the machine. The conductors g
have pivotted ends g¹ which are held against the contact faces of the segments by
the spring g so as to have a yielding and yet constant bearing thereon. Or if
desired, the ends of the conductors g may constitute the springs which give the
elastic bearing. Projecting from the top of the commutator-brush lever d is an
arm i, having a grooved segment on its upper end, and fastened to one end of
the lever is a cord or wire k which passes over a sheave or pulley k, attached to
the bed of the machine, and extended thence, at an angle to the shaft a', to the
swivel yoke k³, to which it is fastened. The other end of the swivel yoke k² is
tapped and screw threaded. Screwing into the threaded end of the swivel yoke is
a screw rod 7, the other end of which is provided with a head and extends into a
casing containing a spring 12, which draws against the head and causes the rod
to pull upon the swivel yoke k². In the face of the casing is a slot 13 along the
side of which is a scale or graduation, made to indicate the pound pressure on the
spring. An indicating point is attached to the rod and projects from the slot l³
for the purpose of registering with the scale, the pressure on the spring.
.
Mounted on the brackets o' on a suitable frame m are two helices o. o¹ having
shells 0. 03. which are curved regularly so as to form the opposite arcs of a circle
struck from the post or standard q. Pivoted to the upper end of the standard q is
a bar 8 on the ends of which are cores 7, which are of the proper size and curve to
slide or nove nicely in the helices o. o' and of sufficient length to prevent their
outer ends from drawing out of the shells o3. o³ of the helices so that the outer ends
shall be supported by the shells and be prevented from sagging. The extent of the
outward movement of the cores is shown in figure 3, in which the cores are shown
to be out of the helices, and the bar a in contact with the rear ends of the
shells oo. Rigidly attached to the bars by a sleeve t¹, is a pulley t. The frame m
is provided with binding posts m². m².
A wire u extending from the binding post m¹ is divided into two branches u¹ u'
one of which is connected to one end of the helix o and the other to the
opposite end of the helix o'. The other ends of the helices are respectively
connected by the wires u³ and to the binding post m². This arrangement
divides the current and makes the resistance less than if the entire current passed.
successively through each helix.
One of the circuit wires (P) is cut, and that portion which extends from the
machine is fastened in the binding post m¹, and that portion which extends out to
form the line is fastened in the binding post m²; thus the regulator is placed in the
main circuit, the binding posts m' and m² being in electrical connection through
the coils of the helices. The regulator may if desired-be placed in a leak or shunt

page_text: circuit from the main circuit and when I speak of it throughout this specification as
being in the circuit I mean in a leak or shunt from the main circuit as well as in
the main circuit. It may be placed either in the positive or negative conductors
<porm>
n
The pulley t is connected to the segment by means of a cord 2. The grooved
segment ¹ causes the cord to be always held in a right line as the arm i turns
on the shaft a. The tension of the spring is regulated by the swivel yoke k³.
12
The arrangement just described is such as is adopted when my improved
regulator is applied to a circuit in which the lights are arranged in multiple arcs
and its operation is as follows:-The cores move through an arc of 90°, and the
power of the attraction of the helices upon them is proportional to the resistance
of the circuit in which the regulator is placed, such circuit being designed to
contain a given number of lights. Suppose all the lights to be in circuit and then
or more cut out. This will increase the resistance of the circuit and reduce the
attraction of the helices correspondingly, and permit the spring & to retract and to
draw the commutator brush lever d around, so as to change the position of the
brushes upon the commutator, which change of position reduces the flow of the
current from the machine sufficiently to restore the equilibrium between the
resistance of the machine and that of the circuit:-the amount of current then
supplied will be sufficient for the proper operation of the lamps remaining in
circuit. A further reduction of the number of lamps in circuit is attended with
like operation and like results, and if desired, all the lamps may be cut out except
one. If then one or more of the lamps which have been cut out are again brought
into circuit the resistance of the circuit will be reduced, and the power of the
helices and their influence upon the cores will be increased accordingly. The
turning of the bar 8 draws around the pulley t which acting through the cord i³
and arm i changes the position of the brushes upon the commutator, so as to cause
the machine to produce more current. This movement will continue until the
amount of current supplied from the machine will be that which is required for
the proper operation of the lamps then in circuit, and then the movement will
cease.
The operation of the regulator is automatic, and regulates the amount of
current produced by the machine exactly to the demands of the circuit. It
also acts as a safety device, by preventing any abnormal amount of current being
thrown on the line, and so prevents danger of burning the insulations of the
lamps.
In applying the invention to a circuit having lamps arranged in series, the
position of the devices is reversed, so that the attraction of the cores shall operate
to reduce the production of the machine, and the spring to increase it. This
change can be made by any person skilled in the manufacture and use of these
machines.
The invention is not limited to the use of two helices a regulator may be
constructed with one helix, the machine being otherwise the same as that described.
Two helices are preferred because greater power, a more symmetrical and evenly
balanced machine, and greater nicety of operation is obtained.
If desired the opposite ends of the brush lever d may be connected to the opposite
sides of the pulley t and a coiled spring be placed on the post q, with one of its ends
connected to the post and the other to the bar 8.
The spring must be strong enough to move the lever d, when it is permitted to
recoil by the decrease of the power of the helices.
The helices may be curved as described or straight, in the latter case the cores
may be connected to the ends of the bar a by a loosely pivoted joint, or by a flexible
link or cord.
In figures 5 and 6 a regulator consisting of a deflecting needle or bar operated
by an electro magnet is shown and applied in the same way as the device just
described, to move the commutator brushes.

page_text: Mounted on a suitable frame m is an electro magnet o composed of two
spools oo Placed centrally between the spools, is a post or standard q on the
upper end of which a deflecting bar or needle ris pivotted. The height of the
post q is such as to permit the needler to oscillate in a horizontal plane over the
upper ends of the spools o¹ and o². Rigidly attached to the needler by means of
a sleeve s¹ is a pulley 8. The frame m is provided with binding posts m. m² A
covered wire extends from the 'binding post m' around the spool o' a desired
number of coils, and then crosses to the spool o' and is coiled upon it
and terminates at the binding post m³. The circuit wire p is cut, and that
portion which extends from the machine is fastened to the regulator by
means of the binding post m' and that portion which extends out to form
the line is attached to it by means of the binding post m²; thus the
regulator is placed in the main circuit, the binding posts m¹ and m³ being in
electrical connection through the coils of the magnet o. The pulley s is connected
to the segment by means of a cord 2. The needle r is composed of iron and is
held in a position at right angles to a vertical plane bisecting the centers of the
spools of the magnet, by the pressure of the spring acting through the cord k,
lever i and cord i².
The arrangement just described is such as is adopted when my improved
regulator is applied to a circuit in which the lights are arranged in multiple arcs,
and its operation is as follows: The needle moves through an arc of 90° and the
power of the attraction of the magnet upon it is proportional to the resistance of
the circuit in which the regulator is placed such circuit being designed to contain a
given number of lights. It operates in the same way as the regulator just described.
Instead of an iron needle, a steel needle which is a permanent magnet may be
used. by proper arrangement of the poles of the magnet and needle the regulator is
caused to act either by the attraction or repulsion of the needle; that is to say,
that by limiting the movement of the needle to an arc of 90° by means of a
suitable stop, and arranging the like poles of the magnet and needle together, the
devices are caused to operate by the repulsion of the needle; or by arranging the
opposite poles of the needle and magnet together they operate by the attraction of
the needle.
The needle when a permanent magnet, can be made to vibrate through an arc of
180° by arranging it as shown in figure 7. Here the pulley s is connected to the
lever d by two cords i and is extending to two arms i and , and the lever receives
its reverse motion from a spring fastened to any convenient point. The power of
the spring holds the needle in the position shown, with its poles near the similar
poles of the magnet o. When the current passes through the magnet, the needle is
repelled until its poles pass the transverse diameter of the circle it describes and
then ita poles are attracted to the opposite poles of the magnet. As however, the
necessary motion of the brushes on the commutator is limited to an arc of 90° the
greater movement of the needle is applied to effect that motion by reducing the
size of the pulley 8. This arrangement has its especial utility in the fact that I
obtain a great power with a small magnet, and consequently it is well adapted for
use in a shunt or leak circuit which uses only a portion of the current; and gives
a stronger and more positive movement to the commutator brush lever, and
consequently enables me to obtain a more rapid and sensitive adjustment of the
brushes. A graduated adjustable spring similar to the spring may be used with
this construction, in lieu of the spring . Or I may dispense with the spring and
place a coiled spring on the post q, and connect one of its ends to the post and the other
to the needle r. The spring must be strong enough to move the lever d when it recoils.
In figures 8 and 9 is shown the use of a galvanometer, as a regulator.
Placed on a stand m in a convenient position, is a galvanometer having a
flattened shell provided with a long central opening for the needle o, which is
mounted rigidly on a vertical shaft q placed therein. The shell is wrapped with a.
wire the ends of which are connected to the binding posts m¹ and m². The
shaft 9 extends through the side of the shell- and at its outer end is provided '
T

page_text: with a grooved pulley 8 A cord connects the pulleys to the arm i, so that any
movement of the pulley shall be caused to act on the lever d One end of the
lever d is connected by a cord k¹ to a spring cone pulley k. The tension of the
pulley k which always remains the same is exerted on the lever d in the opposite
direction to that of the pulley 8. One of the wires p from the machine is
cut and the ends connected to the helix r by means of the binding screws m¹
and m. Thus the galvanometer is placed directly in the main circuit. It may
however be placed in a branch or shunt circuit derived from the main circuit.
The tension of the spring pulley k holds the needle o in a position parallel to the
coils of the helix r. The passage of the current through the coils causes the
deflection of the needle o and the shaft q and pulleys are turned thereby. The
pulley acts on the lever d through the cord i and moves it, so as to change the
position of the brushes c on the commutator b. The deflection of the needle
increases with the increase of the force and quantity of current flowing through
the coils of the helix ?. The lever d is moved by the spring cone pulley k in the
opposite direction as the current decreases.
It is well known that the power of the needle is greatest at the beginning of the
movement, and that it diminishes gradually to the point of greatest deflection. In
figure 9 I show a way of increasing the leverage of the arm i, by the use of a lateral
arm is so that as the power of the needle o decreases it is applied at an increased
distance from the centre of the lever d, and thus the loss of power at one point is
sufficiently compensated for by its increase at the other.
As in the ordinary galvanometer the motive power of the needle decreases with
its deflection the core o¹ is placed inside of the helix (s
(see figure 10 and thereby
reverses the ordinary operation and obtains greatly increased power at the point of
greatest deflection, and produces a constant and regular tension of the pulleys and
cord on the commutator lever. The power is further increased by the use of
polar extensions o² placed or formed on the ends of the core O¹ on the side next to
the needle, which extensions tend greatly to increase the force of the magnetic field
at those points, with corresponding influence on the needle.
The dial plate 8 is provided with an adjustable stop 83 which is designed to
indicate the point of greatest deflection capable of being produced by the current
supplied to the circuit and to act as a stop to prevent the needle from passing that
point. The utility of this construction consists in the fact that the stop limits the
movement of the brushes on the commutator and therefore prevents their moving
to points on the commutator which would supply more current than is needed for
the circuit, and obviates all danger of burning up the lamps. Thus it acts as a
safety device. The spring k is fastened to a tension screw t which passes through
the frame m and is provided with a nut t¹ for the purpose of regulating the tension
of the spring to correspond with the power of the needle, so that it may be capable
of restoring the brushes to position upon the return or partial return of the needle
to its normal position.
It is apparent that my invention is applicable not only to light circuits, but
also to electric circuits for power and other purposes. It is also apparent that
by merely changing the mechanical devices for applying the power of the deflected
needle or bar, it may be adapted to the automatic regulation of the current from
other forms of machines, in which the brushes are differently mounted from the
one herein illustrated; and also from storage or other batteries.
As illustrated in figure 10 the contact brushes of the machine are moved in
one direction by the needle, and in the opposite direction by a spring, they may
however be operated entirely by the needle, by continuing the shaft q downwards,
and placing a pulley on its lower end and connecting the cord k reversely to a pulley
placed thereon, so that the reverse rotation of the shaft, caused by the return of
the needle towards its normal position, will act through the lower pulley and the
cord k, on the lever. These regulators are equally applicable to moving the contact
devices of other machines and of batteries always, bearing in mind that. the

page_text: mechanical construction must be adapted to the particular form and structure to
which it is applied. If desired a weight may be used instead of the spring k³.
In figure 11 the regulator shown in figure 8 is applied to operate an adjustable
resistance placed in the same circuit. Here X is a resistance electrically connected
by the binding post X' with the galvanometer coils r. The coils of the reostat X
are exposed to the sliding contact X which is also in contact with the conducting
strip X³. The contact X is connected to the pulley S by the cord and to the
screw X by the spring X³. The wire p leads from the generating machine to the
galvanometer and the line wire p¹ is connected to the conductor Xs by a binding
post X. The circuit is from wire p through the galvanometer coils 7 resistance X
contact X and conductor X³ to the line wire p¹. The operation is similar to that
of the galvanometer upon the brush lever of the generating machine or battery
herein before described. The pulley S draws the contact X and the spring X
retracts it. This device can be applied to each branch wire supplying a light or
group of lights. It can be placed either in the main circuit or in a branch circuit,
or in both. The galvanometer can be operated by a branch or leak circuit and in
turn operate the resistance placed in the main circuit. In the latter case, the leak
which operates the galvanometer must bear a definite proportion to the main
current. In like manner each of the various forms of regulator heroin described
can be applied to operate automatically an adjustable resistance placed in the same
circuit and I claim all the forms shown and described for that purpose. I do not
limit myself to any particular form of adjustable resistance, nor of the power
connections between the deflecting bar or needle and the resistance device.
An adjustable resistance so arranged and operated serves to regulate the flow of
the current to the demands of the circuit, and operates as a safety device by
preventing an abnormal amount of current from passing over the line.
Having now described and illustrated the said invention in such manner that
others will be enabled to carry my improvements into effect I claim :-
First. The combination with an electric generator having a commutator; of a
helix arranged in the circuit; a movable core, actuated by the helix; and movable
collecting devices actuated by the core; substantially as, and for the purposes
described.
Second. The combination with an electric generator having a commutator and
movable collecting devices; of a helix arranged in the circuit; a movable core
actuated by the helix, for moving the collecting devices in one direction; and a
spring for moving them in the opposite direction; substantially as and for the
purposes described.
Third. The combination of a curved helix with a curved pivoted core;
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fourth. The combination of curved helices forming arcs of a circle, with curved
cores extending in opposite directions from the opposite ends of a centrally pivoted
bar; substantially as and for the purposes described.
Fifth. A device applicable to the automatic adjustment of the collecting brushes
of a dynamo-electric machine or to a resistance; consisting in the combination of a
helix arranged in the circuit; a movable core actuated by the helix; a pivoted
bar or pulley actuated by the core; and a retracting spring; substantially as, and
for the purposes described.
Sixth. The combination of an electrical circuit wire, with two helices having
movable cores, connected to the circuit wire by branch wires leading from their
opposite ends; substantially as and for the purposes described.
Seventh. The combination with an electric generator having a commutator; of an
electro magnet arranged in the circuit; a deflecting needle arranged to vibrate in
a plane at right angles to the poles of the magnet and actuated thereby; and
movable collecting devices actuated by the needle; substantially as and for the
purposes described.
Eighth. The combination, with an electric generator having a commutator and
movable collecting devices; of an electro magnet arranged in the circuit;

page_text: a deflecting needle arranged to vibrate through the arc of a circle in a plane at
right angles to the poles of the magnet and actuated thereby; and a retracting
spring; the collecting devices being moved in one direction. by the needle, and
in the opposite direction by the spring; substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Ninth. The combination of the movable collecting devices of an electric generator
having a commutator; a deflecting needle actuated by an electro-magnet, and
arranged to vibrate in a plane at right angles to the poles of the same, for
moving the collecting devices in one direction; and a graduated spring for moving
them in the opposite direction; substantially as, and for the purposes described.
Tenth. The combination with an electric generator having a commutator; of an
electro magnet arranged in the circuit; a magnetised deflecting needle arranged to
vibrate in a plane at right angles to the magnet and actuated by the repulsion
and attraction of the same; and movable collecting devices actuated by the needle
substantially as and for the purposes described.
Eleventh. A device applicable to the automatic adjustment of the collecting
devices of an electric generator, or to an adjustable resistance; consisting of an
electro-magnet arranged in the circuit, a bar or needle arranged to vibrate in a
plane over the poles of the magnet and a retracting spring substantially as
described.
Twelfth. The combination of an electric generator having a commutator; with a
galvanometer arranged in the circuit; and movable collecting devices operated by
the galvanometer substantially as and for the purposes described.
Thirteenth. The combination of an electric generator, having a commutator with
a galvanometer arranged in the circuit; movable collecting devices operated by the
galvanometer; and a retracting spring; substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Fourteenth. A device applicable to the automatic adjustment of the collecting
devices of a generator, or to an adjustable resistance, consisting of a galvanometer
arranged in the circuit, and a retracting spring which acts against the power of the
deflection of the needle, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. The combination of a galvanometer having a pulley, with the pivoted
collecting devices of a dynamo-electric machine; and an angle lever and cord
connecting the same; so that the leverage on the pivoted collecting devices shall
increase as the power of the needle decreases; substantially as and for the purposes
described.
Sixteenth. The combination with an electric generator having a commutator and
movable collecting devices of a helix having a core arranged in the circuit and a
deflecting bar or needle, so connected with the collecting devices as to move them
on the commutator, substantially as and for the purposes described.
Seventeenth. The combination of a helix provided with a core, and a deflecting
needle, whereby the needle is deflected by the current of electricity passing through
the helix and attracted by the magnetism of the core, substantially as described.
Eighteenth. The method of effecting the automatic adjustment of the collecting
devices of an electric generator or other source of electric current, having a
commutator; consisting in applying thereto the power of the deflection of a needle
or bar, actuated by a helix, electro magnet, or galvanometer placed in the circuit
substantially as described.
Nineteenth. The method of effecting the automatic adjustment of an adjustable
resistance placed in an electric circuit, cousisting in applying thereto the power of
the deflection of a needle or bar, actuated by a helix, electro magnet, or galvano-
meter, also placed in the circuit substantially as described.
Twentieth. The combination of an electro-magnet, having lateral polar extensions
with a pivoted deflecting needle arranged to vibrate in a plane parallel to the core
of the magnet substantially as and for the purposes described.
Twenty first. The combination of an electric generator having movable collecting

page_text: devices, with swivelled connections between the collecting devices and the line
conductors substantially as and for the purposes described
Twenty second. The combination of the movable brush lever and brush carriers
with a segmental foot or support, substantially as and for the purposes described.
In Witness Whereof I the said John Thomson King have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty fifth day of May in the year of Our Lord,
one thousand eight hundred and eighty three.
T
J. T. KING (10)