Improvements in Electric Distribution, and Apparatus in connection therewith.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd May, 1895
Complete Specification Left, 29th Feb., 1896-Accepted, 2nd May, 1896
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Distribution, and Apparatus in connection
therewith.
We, ARTHUR WRIGHT, of 26 Park Crescent, Brighton, Electrical Engineer,
and ROBERT CORNELIUS QUIN, of 18 Hamilton Road, Brighton, Electrical
Engineer do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
That whereas it is sometimes found of advantage to supply electric distributing
mains with dissimilar currents at various periods such as with alternating currents
at one period and with continuous currents during another perio 1, our invention has
for its object means for the prevention of the distributing mains being connected
simultaneously to sources of supply of dissimilar currents.
We prevent the connection of mains to sources of dissimilar currents by meaus of
a system of locks controlled mechanically, electrically or otherwise, which prevent
the changing over switches necessary for the carrying out of such a combined
system, from being actuated except in such order as to insure safety in working.
As an illustration of a method by which our invention may be carried into effect,
we will assume it is desired to apply to a group of electric distributing mains
sometimes continuous and sometimes alternating currents, the alternating currents
being supplied from sub-stations at different points in the group of mains.
We would fix at suitable points of our mains two-way switches which could
place the distributors in the neighbourhood, either in connection with continuous or
alternating sources of current, and prevent these switches from being actuated
excepting when any source of current dissimilar to the one about to be connected
has been switched off the aforesaid mains, by a system of locks which can only be
released in the desired order. Let us now consider a group or net-work of mains
(which may be a portion of a larger group) by which it is proposed to distribute
electricity at one time on the continuous current system and at another by means of
alternating currents.
group
66
We would have fixed at one point of our group of mains (called hereafter
A") a two-way switch. If group "A" is but a portion of a larger
group, this two-way switch would preferably be fixed at a convenient point to
form a junction between the two groups, and which point may conveniently be a
transformer sub-station.
This aforesaid switch to be so arranged as to connect group
"A" either to one
or more alternating current transformers or to a continuous current main, which
latter may be either a feeding main (that is a main directly connected to the
generating station), or simply a connection from the larger group.
Now for purposes of distribution it would probably be found necessary to place
at different points in group "A" a number of alternating current transformers.
We will assume that transformers have been placed at three points in group "A."
These three points we will call respectively sub-stations Nos. 1, 2 & 3.
"
If group "A is distributing electricity on the continuous current system and
66
any transformer at the sub-stations could be switched on to group
A," great
damage would take place to the transformers and other apparatus, and possibly to
It is to
the generating machinery, and might result in the stoppage of supply.
obviate this risk that our invention relates.
We would arrange the "two-way" switch so that it could be locked preferably

page_text: on either ".
way"; also enclose the switches connecting the transformers to the
group "A" in the sub-stations Nos. 1, 2 & 3 in suitable cases so fitted as to be
capable of closing only when the switch or switches were "off" and fix to each of
these cases a "lock" which could only be released when its corresponding
"lock"
on the "two-way" switch was closed or fastened. Instead of using cases over the
switches, these themselves may constitute part of the locking apparatus.
These "locks" may be actuated by "keys," or electrically, or pneumatically or
by any other means as desired.
For the purposes of this Specification we will describe a system of locks actuated
by keys.'
"
We can so arrange this lock as to be partly actuated by an attachment to the
"striking plate" affixed to the switch case door frame and partly by the key, in
such a way that when the door is closed (and the "striking plate" therefore
"home") the key can be turned and the lock fastened and the key removed.
,,
We would also fix in the lock a "stop" to prevent the key being withdrawn when
the lock is unfastened. As described therefore, the "key can only be removed
from the lock when the switch case door is closed and the lock fastened.
"
"
We would affix one of the above locks to each of the aforesaid switch cases
in the sub-stations Nos. 1, 2 & 3, and a duplicate set of locks to the "two-way
switch so arranged as to fix it when it is connecting the group "A to the
alternating current transformers. There would be one key only for each pair
of locks, and the key for No. 1 pair must not actuate No. 2 or No. 3 pair, and
vice versa.
"
In the first case let us consider that group "A" is supplying on the continuous
current system; then as the locks for securing the two-way "switch on the
alternating current "
way must necessarily be unfastened, the keys for these locks
are fixed therein and cannot be removed. Again as the keys are fixed in the locks
attached to the "two-way "switch and these keys cannot be removed until the
Jocks are fastened and one key only being provided for each pair of locks, ipse facto
the duplicates of these locks must be fastened. Now these duplicates are fixed to
the aforesaid switch cases in sub-stations Nos. 1, 2 & 3, respectively and as these
switch cases cannot be closed until the switches contained therein are off,"
therefore if the keys are fixed in the "two-way" switch, these aforesaid sub-station
switches must necessarily be "off." It is therefore impossible to switch any
alternating current transformier on to group "A so long as the "two-way "switch
is connecting this group to a continuous current source of supply,
"
"
We will now assume that it is desired to supply alternating currents from
"A."
group
The "
"
two-way switch must first be moved to the alternating current "way."
The key in the locks attached thereto can now be turned, the locks fastened, and
the keys removed.
The respective witch cases in sub-stations Nos. 1, 2 & 3 can now be opened and
their switches moved to "on," thus supplying the group by the transformers; but
so long as these switches remain "on," the keys are fixed in the locks attached to
their respective enses.
11
The two-way switch being therefore locked, continuous currents cannot be
connected to group
"A" while the sub-station transformer switches are " on."
For the purpose of illustration we have only taken one group ("A"); but the
larger group of which "A" forms a part, may be composed of several groups
similar to "A."
Let us assume that there are two other groups which we will call "B" & "C"
respectively.
It may be desirable to interconnect these groups at certain times when two or
more of them are supplying on the same system.
One method by which we propose to carry this out would be as follows-Where
two groups adjoin, (for instance "A" & ""B") we would fix two switches each
under a separate ease and each case fitted with two locks. Eaches to be arran

page_text: so that it is impossible to close it when its switch is on, and the locks to be as before
described.
Both groups to be connected to both switches. The locks on one switch case
to have duplicates fixed on the "two-way) "switches of the respective groups
(one on each) in such a way as to lock the switches on the "ways" connecting
to alternating currents; those on the other switch case in like manner being
fixed so as to lock the switches on the "
"
ways" connecting to continuous
currents.
33
It would thus be possible to connect the groups when both systems are either
alternating or continuous and the interconnecting switches must both be " off"
before either "two-way" switch can be reversed.
Where three or more groups adjoin (for instance "A," "B" & "C") we would
fix two switches to each group and fit each switch under a separate case having one
lock on each.
"
"
Each pair of switches would have their duplicate locks fixed on the "two-way "
switch of the group to which they belonged (one on each ". way"). All those
switches baving their duplicate locks on the continuous " ways of their
respective "two-way switches would be fitted in such a manner that when
they are placed on the particular groups to which they belong would be
connected to a main common to all; and all those having their duplicate locks
on the alternating "ways of their respective "two-way switches would be
connected in like manner, but to a separate and distinct main.
"
"
"
With this latter arrangement, any two or more groups supplying on the same
system could be interconnected at the same time that other groups supplying on the
other system were also interconnected. But no two groups supplying on different
systems could be interconnected.
Dated this First day of May 1895
ARTHUR WRIGHT.
ROBERT CORNELIUS QUIN.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Distribution, and Apparatus in connection
therewith.
We, ARTHUR WRIGHT, of 26 Park Crescent, Brighton, Electrical Engineer,
and ROBERT CORNELIUS QUIN, of 18 Hamilton Road, Brighton, Electrical
Engineer 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 :-
That whereas it is sometimes found of advantage to supply electric distributing
mains with dis-similar currents at various periods such as with alternating currents
at one period and with continuous currents during another period, our invention has
for its object means for the prevention of the distributing mains being connected
simultaneously to sources of dissimilar currents.
We prevent the connection of mains to sources of dissimilar currents by means
of a system of locks controlled mechanically, electrically or otherwise, which
prevent the changing over switches necessary for the carrying out of such a
combined system, from being actuated except in such order as to ensure safety in
working.
One way in which our invention is carried into effect is as follows:
We apply to a group of electric distributing mains sometimes continuous and
sometimes alternating currents, the alternating currents being supplied from
sub-stations at different points in the group of mains, and we fix at suitable points
of our mains "two-way' switches which could place the distributors in the
neighbourhood either in connection with continuous or with alternating sources of
"

page_text: current, and we prevent these switches from being actuated excepting when any
source of current dissimilar to the one about to be connected has been switched off
the aforesaid mains, by a system of locks which can only be released in the desired
order. For example; let us now consider a group or network of mains (which
may be a portion of a larger group) by which it is proposed to distribute electricity
at one time on the continuous current system and at another by means of alternating
currents.
We would have fixed at one point called hereafter the changing over point of
our group of mains which we will call group "A a two-way switch.
"
If group
"A" is but a portion of a larger group, this two-way switch would
preferably be fixed at a convenient point to form a junction between two parts of
such group and which point may conveniently be a transformer substation.
The aforesaid two-way switch is so arranged as to connect group "A" either to
one or more alternating current transformers or to a continuous current main,
which latter may be either a feeding main (that is a main directly connected to
the generating station), or simply a connection from the larger group.
Now for purposes of distribution it would probably be found necessary to place
at different points in group "A" a number of alternating current transformers.
We will assume that transformers have been placed at three points in group
These three points we will call respectively substations Nos. 1, 2, & 3.
"A."
If group "A" is distributing electricity on the continuous current system and
any transformer at the aforesaid sub-stations could be switched on to group "A,"
great damage would take place to the transformers and other apparatus, and
possibly to the generating machinery, and might result in the stoppage of supply.
It is to obviate this risk that our invention relates.
We should arrange the "two-way" switch so that it could be locked preferably
on either " way ; and should enclose the switches connecting the transformers to
the group
"A" in the sub-stations Nos. 1, 2 & 3 in suitable cases, so fitted as to
be capable of closing only when the switch or switches were "off" and fix to each
of these cases a lock which could only be released when its corresponding lock on
the two-way switch was closed or fastened. Instead of using cases over the
switches these themselves may constitute part of the locking apparatus.
These locks may be actuated by ordinary keys or by electrical, or pneumatic
opening & closing equivalent devices or by any other means as desired.
For the purposes of this example we will describe a system of locks actuated by
keys.
"
We can so arrange this lock as to be partly actuated by an attachment to the
striking plate affixed to the switch ens door frame and partly by the key, in such
a way that when the door is closed (and the striking plate therefore "home") the
key can be turned and the lock fastened and the key removed.
We would also fix in the lock a "stop" to prevent the key being withdrawn
rk is unfi stal As describe there fore, the hey can only he removed
from the hard when the witch car door is closed and the Praten.
We affix one of the above locks to each of the aforesaid transformer switch
cases in the sub-stations Nos. 1, 2, & 3, and a duplicate set of locks to the
two-way
changing over switch, so arranged as to fix it when it is connecting
the group
Ato the alternating current supply through its trusfor, thu
there will be several pairs of locks, one of each pair being on the changing over
two-way switch and the other on the transformer switch gut each of these pairs of
locks is operated by oue key only, and the key for No. 1 pair must not actuate
No. 2 or No. 3 pair, and vice versa.
3
Let us now suppose that group "A" is supplying on the continuous current
system and locks for securing the "two-way" changing over switch on the alter-
nating current side are necessarily unfastened, the keys for these locks are fixed
therein and cannot be removed. Again as the keys are fixed in the locks attached
to the "two-way" changing over switch and these keys cannot be removed until
the locks are fastened and one key only being provided for each pair of locks,

page_text: ipse facto the duplicate of these locks must be fastened. Now these duplicates are
fixed to the aforesaid switch cases in substations Nos. 1, 2 & 3, respectively and
as these switch cases cannot be closed until the switches contained therein are
"off," therefore if the keys are fixed in the two-way switch, these aforesaid sub-
station switches must necessarily be "off." It is therefore impossible to switch
any alternating current transformer on to group "A" so long as the "two-way"
changing over switch is connecting this to a continuous current source of supply.
We will now assume that it is desired to supply the same group "A" with
alternating current.
The "two-way" changing over switch must first be moved to the alternating
current side thus connecting the network with the alternating source of supply.
The keys in the locks can now be turned, the locks fastened and the keys
removed.
The respective transformer switch cases in sub-stations Nos. 1. 2 & 3, can now
he opened and their switches actuated so as to connect their respective transformers to
the network thus supplying it through the medium of these additional transformers;
and as long as these switches remain in this position the keys are unremoveable
from the locks attached to their respective cases.
The "two-way" changing over switch being therefore locked by keys which
are then unprocurable cannot be actuated so as to connect the network of
group "A" with the continuous current source of supply as long as any of the
sub-station transformer switches are connecting their transformers to the same
group.
For the purpose of illustration we have only taken one group ("A"); but the
larger groups of which "A" forms a part may be composed of several groups
similar to "A," and in order to prevent groups supplied with dissimilar currents
being interconnected we use similar means to those herein before described to
prevent the possibility of this happening.
Let us assume that there are two other groups which we will call "B" & "C"
respectively.
It may be desirable to interconnect these groups at certain times when two or
more of them are supplying on the same system.
One method by which we propose to carry this out would be on the same system
as follows:-
Where two groups adjoin, (for instance "A" & "B") we would fix two switches
each under a separate case and each case fitted with two locks.
66
Each case to be arranged so that it is impossible to close it when its switch is
on," ard the locks to be as before described.
"
Both groups to be connected to both switches. The locks on one switch case to
have duplicates fixed on the "two-way " changing over switches of the respective
groups (one on each) in such a way as to lock the switches on the " ways con-
necting to alternating currents; those on the other switch case in like manner
being fixed so as to lock the switches on the "ways" connecting to "continuous
currents."
It would thus be possible to connect the groups when both systems are either
alternating or continuous and the interconnecting switches must both be "off" before
either "two-way" switch can be reversed. Where three or more groups adjoin
(for instance "A," "B," "C"), we would fix two switches to each group and fit
each switch under a separate case having one lock on each.
"
Each pair of switches would have their duplicate locks fixed on the "two-way
changing over switch of the group to which they belonged (one on each "
way").
All those switches having their duplicate locks on the continuous "ways" of their
respective "two-way "switches would be fitted in such a manner that when they
are placed "on" the particular groups to which they belong would be connected
to a main common to all; and all those having their duplicate locks on the
alternating "ways" of their respective "two-way "switches would be connected in
like manner, but to a separate and distinct main.

page_text: With this latter arrangement, any two or more groups supplying on the same
system could be interconnected at the same time that other groups supplying on the
other system were also interconnected. But no two groups supplying on different
systems could be interconnected.
It is obvious that considerable modification of the details of this arrangement
could be made without in any way departing from the system herein described.
In order to facilitate the reading of this Specification, we have prepared drawings,
the various portions being lettered thereon as follows:-
Sheet No. 1. Fig. 1. The network group of mains "A"; two-way change-over
switch "X," "E" being the way or side connecting to continuous current, "D" the
way or side connecting to alternating current.
The substations Nos. 1, 2, 3, are marked 1, 2, 3, respectively; the locks are
shown affixed to their respective switch cases & marked 4, 5, 6.--the companion
locks being similarly marked on the change-over switch "X." "T" in all cases
indicates an alternating current transformer.
On Sheet 2-Fig. 2 is a diagram of the arrangements proposed to be made where
two of these "dual networks" (say A & B) adjoin, & is marked as follows:-
"A" & "B" are the respective networks; "F" being the alternating current
switch,
"G" the continuous current switch; "7" being a lock having its duplicate
fixed (in a like manner to 4, 5, 6) on the "D" way of the change-over switch "X"
(Sheet No. 1), "8" being a lock having its duplicate fixed in a similar manner on
a like change-over switch in connection with network "B"; "9" being a lock
having its duplicate fixed on the "E" way of the change-over switch "X"
(Sheet No. 1),"10" similarly with respect to network "B."
66
on its
On Sheet No. 2-Fig. 3. is a diagram of the arrangement proposed to be made
where three (or more) "dual networks" adjoin-viz. "A," B," "C." The
networks are lettered respectively "A," "B," "C." "H." "J." "L." are alter-
nating current switches. "I." "K."
." "M." are continuous current switches. The
locks, 11, 13, 15, having duplicates fixed on the "D" way of their respective
change-over switches (as shown for network "A" in the instance of " 11
change-over switch "X" Sheet No. 1). The locks 12, 14, 16, having their
duplicates similarly fixed on the "E" way of their respective change-over switches
(as shown for network "A " in the instance of "12" on "X" Sheet No. 1)
"O" is a main to which the networks "A." "B." "C." could be connected through
their switches "I." "K." "M." "P" is also a main (but distinct from "O"")
to which the networks "A." "B." "C." could be connected through their
switchen "H." "J." "L." The raid main "P" could also, if desired, have
connected to it, as shown, an alternating current transformer-the switch "N
whereof need not be locked.
"
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is
1. The use of interlocking apparatus attached to switches used for connecting
distributing electric supply networks to sources of electric supply which will prevent
dissimilar currents being supplied simultaneously to the same network substantially
as described herein.
2. The system of locks mechanically or otherwise operated for enabling a dual
system of electricity supply to be carried out safely substantially as described
herein.
Dated this 29th day of February 1896.
ARTHUR WRIGHT.
ROBT. Q, QUIN.