Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation, Distribution, and Commutation of Electric Currents.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 3rd June, 1890-Accepted, 20th Sept., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for the Generation, Distribution, and
Commutation of Electric Currents.
I, FRANK ANDERSON, of Peekskill, in the County of Westchester, State of New
York, United States of America, Electrician, 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 generally to the procuring in two electric circuits, one of
which is auxiliary to the other, of two alternating electric currents, with any
required difference of phase of undulation of each current relatively to the other.
My invention comprises the employment of one of these currents of a certain phase
to actuate a commuting apparatus in, and at the periods of time proper to convert the
alternating current of differentiated phase into a continuous or direct current.
I prefer to employ what I will term the auxiliary current to actuate the commuting.
apparatus, the current converted being the main or principal current.
My object in this specific employment is to avoid sparking or arcing at the
contact-pieces of the commuting apparatus; and this I effect by causing the phase
of the auxiliary current to so precede or lag behind the phase of the principal
current as to actuate the commuting apparatus previously or subsequently to the
sparking period of the phase of the principal current.
Heretofore differences of phase in alternating currents have been procured by
employing induction apparatus termed transformers or converters, in which the
primary current would have a difference of about one quarter phase in advance of the
secondary current. To obtain phases differing in other ratios than that of one-quarter,
(the phase of the primary being in advance,) I am aware that "Impedance" coils have
been employed. But, so far as I am aware, none of these devices nor combinations
attain the procurement of all or any differences of phase, but, on the contrary, the
difference of phase procurable is limited by principles difficult to reduce to use, except
in very limited departures from certain normal differentiations of phase. In fact, it
is impossible by such means to obtain a phase in the secondary in advance of the
phase in the primary, except by the device of adjusting the phases of different waves,
that of the preceding wave in the secondary being so far caused to lag as to appear to
be consequent upon the incident wave in the primary.
By my invention any required difference of phase is easily and promptly procured;
and to the auxiliary current that difference of phase is adjustably given so as to meet
the requirements of breaking contact at the commuting apparatus at a period of low
potential difference between the contact-pieces. My invention is illustrated in the
accompanying drawing in which
Figure 1 shows diagramatically the arrangement of the apparatus, and the circuit
connections.
Figure 2 is a part sectional view showing polar extensions to include the auxiliary
armature.
Figures 3 and 4 are respectively side and end views of modified arrangements of
parts.
Figure 5 is an elevation showing how the auxiliary armature may be adjusted
during the running of the dynamo-machine.
The same letters correspond to like parts throughout the drawings.
FF are field magnets excited in any convenient manner.
A is the principal armature of the dynamo-machine, which armature is fixed upon
the shaft S', and is provided with current-collector CC and brushes B B, connected
to the principal circuit L L.
a is an auxiliary armature, capable of being adjustably fixed upon the shaft S' by
the set screw w, or preferably by the means shown in Figure 5.

page_text: cc is the current collector for this armature as andis mounted on a sleeve carrying
the armature hub so as to be revolved with, the armature, and thereby prevent strain
upon the connecting wires.be/q50-195,
i
bbare the brushes to the collector connected to the auxiliary circuit 1 7.
Ta
The armature A is suitably wound to produce the main or principal current, and the
armature & to
produce the auxiliary current. Generally A will-give a large quantity
of current, whilst the requirements of the auxiliary circuit will be met with a small
current from a. The coils should be equal in number in the two armatures.
PPP Figure 1, are the fixed contact-pieces of a polarized relay, of which d d' are.
the moving contact pieces attached to the moveable arm P polarized by the permanent
magnets NS, SN, on the poles of which are wound the usual coils m m¹ connected to
the auxiliary. In circuit with d are the conductors L' L' leading to the motor M,
or other translating device requiring a continuous or direct current.
Where, as in Figure 1, the relative position of a to A is adjusted by means of a
set-screw or equivalent means, the machine, if in motion, must be stopped in order to
make the adjustment. I employ the devices shown in Figures 5, 4, and 3, to avoid
such stoppage.
In Figure 5 the shaft S₁ is shown bored up from the end and fitted up with a loose
mandrel 7. This mandrel carries at one end a flanged runner n in which bears the
fork of a set over arm t, by the setting of which the mandrel may be adjusted and
fixed in any desired position longitudinally in shaft S without interrupting the
revolution of the shaft. The mandrel » carries a set pin x, which may be moved along
the slot o in the shaft S' by movement of the mandrel and set-over arin.
This set
pin x also moves in the curved slot cut into the sleeve that carries the collector c, c
and armature a. The curvature of this slot is such as to carry the sleeve through that
arc of a revolution included between the centre lines of two adjacent field magnets,
when the pin is moved longitudinally through the slot o. The sleeve and armature
being incapable of longitudinal movement, and restricted therefrom by collars or
equivalent devices, (not shown), longitudinal movement of the pin a, due to the
setting, over of the armrt, causes the sleeve and armature a to assume different angular
relations in the plane of rotation with regard to a fixed point on the shaft, according
to the amount of longitudinal movement, and; consequently, the armature a to assume
differentrangular relations to the ariiature A, which is fixed on the shaft.i
In Figures 3 and 4:istshownia substitute mode of producing difference of current
phasenin the coils on the armatures A and a; by adjustinent of a false pole piece, or,
magnetic mass:ff: In this case the armature is fixed on the shaft and in relation
to A.
The magnetic mass ffis set over in the one direction, or the other relatively to
the principal fieldmagnets F F, so that the induced magnetic lines of the magnetic
circuit and a are inductively acting in advance of, or subsequent to the magnetic
lines of the jmagnetic circuit F: F and A, thereby producing waves of electrical
current in an advanced or retarded phase relatively to the phase of the waves
in
741
;
b
Figure 2 shows how the armature a may be included within polar extensions I-Iof
the field magnets FF, instead of directly, within such fields, as in Figure 1 mi
Although my invention might in certain cases be operatively carried into effect
with the armatures a land A in distinct magnetic fields, this would not be so generally,
nor in any case where the main current in A was large, or otherwise caused great
reactive magnetic effect of the armature A upon the magnetic flow from the field
magnets F. Unless the armature a revolved in the same distorted field, (produced by
these reactions), as A; the waves of electrical current in a would not be of the same
conformation, and probably. thereby not of the same phase as in A; for which reason
--Irpreferito revolve both armatures in the same field, repeating that thereby 1 procure
waves of similar conformation in each armature. The operation of my specific in
vention is as follows :-
7.It being desired to commute the alternating current in L L to a continuous or
direct current in LE₁and the connections between the several apparatus being

page_text: established, as described and shown in Figure 1, adjustment is made of the angular
position of the armature a relatively to that of A, so that contact between d' and pl
or p and between d and p or p' is made or broken when the wave in L L is passing
the zero line of potential difference, the arm of the relay being actuated by the
auxiliary current in 11, and its effect on the magnet coils m m³ in the manner well
known, or easily understood by those skilled in the art.
There being no potential difference between the points p and d or pl and d or d' and p¹
or d' and p², on rupture of the circuit there will be no spark or arc; consequently,
the commuting of the current will be under the otherwise known action of the
apparatus continuous and without interruption, as would otherwise occur from the
destruction of the contact points.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
--
First. An armature for an alternate current dynamo having two sets of bobbins, one
of which is fixed to the shaft and the other adjustable, substantially as described.
Second. A dynamo machine having an armature made of two rotary parts, one of
which is fixed on the shaft, while the other is adjustable in the direction of rotation,
substantially as described.
Third. A dynamo electric machine having two armatures on a common shaft one
fixed and the other adjustable in the direction of rotation, with means for adjusting
the moveable armature, substantially as described.
Fourth. The combination of the following elements; A dynamo machine adapted
to give alternating impulses in a working circuit; means located in the working
circuit for rectifying the currents therein generated; a separate circuit from an inde-
pendent armature of the same dynamo, including electrical connections for controlling
the current rectifier and a direct current translating device located in the main
circuit at a point beyond the current rectifier, said independent armature being
adjustable, substantially as described.
Fifth. An alternating current dynamo having two armatures on a common shaft,
one of which furnishes currents for a working circuit, the other being adjustable, and
connected through an independent circuit to a current rectifier having connection
with the working circuit, whereby the working circuit currents are caused to flow
always in the same direction, substantially as described.
Dated this 3rd day of June 1890.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.