Improvements in Electric Arc Lamps.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 6th Nov., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 4th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 4th Oct., 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Arc Lamps.
JOHN HALL RIDER Northern Telegraph Works Halifax Electrical Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
This invention relates to improvements in the arc striking and feeding mechanisms
of arc lamps whereby the mechanical arrangements are much simplified, and the
movements of the carbons are kept under perfect control.
In carrying out this invention I employ a rocking frame pivoted about its centre
and free to move in a vertical plane. To each end of this rocking frame is attached
the core of a solenoid in the main and shunt circuits respectively. Upon this rocking
frame and near one of its ends is also fixed a suitable form of brake or the brake
may be attached to an arm or branch of the rocking frame so that when the rocking
frame is lifted the brake moves in the arc of a circle which has the same centre as
the rocking frame.
The upper carbon rod is racked and gears into the pinion of a brake wheel the.
axis of which is parallel to and may be in the same horizontal plane as the axis of
the rocking frame. The spindle of the brake wheel runs in fixed centres and the
wheel is rotated when the racked rod is raised or lowered. The centres of motion
of the rocking frame and brake wheel do not coincide but are placed at such a distance
apart that when the lamp is not in action the brake on the rocking frame just clears
the rim of the wheel. When the current is started the solenoid in the main circuit
lifts one end of the rocking frame and brings the brake against the rim of the wheel.
The further lifting of the rocking frame causes the wheel to rotate and so pulls the
arc. As the length of the arc increases the shunt solenoid becomes stronger and the
series weaker so that the rocking frame is gradually moved in the other direction
until the wheel is released from the brake which allows the lamp to feed.
Dated Fifth November 1889.
JOHN HALL RIDER.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Arc Lamps.
I, JOHN HALL RIDER, of the Northern Telegraph Works, Halifax, in the County
of York, 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:
This invention relates to improvements in the arc striking and feeding mechanisms
of electric are lamps, whereby the mechanical arrangements are much simplified, and.
the movements of the carbons kept under perfect control.
In carrying out this invention 1 employ a rocking frame pivotted about its centre,
and free to move in a vertical plane. To each end of this rocking frame is attached
the core of a solenoid in the main and shunt circuits respectively. Upon this rocking
frame and near one of its ends is also fixed a suitable form of brake, or the brake may
be attached to an arm or branch of the rocking frame, so that when the rocking
frame is moved, the brake also moves in the arc of a circle which has the same centre
as the rocking frame. Or the brake may, be attached to an arm moving substantially
parallel to the rocking frame, and connected to it by means of a link.
The upper carbon rod is racked and gears into the pinion of a brake wheel, the axis
of which is parallel to, and may be in the same horizontal plane as the axis of the
rocking frame, or the axis of the arm carrying the brake. The spindle of the brake
wheel runs in fixed centres, and the wheel is rotated when the racked rod is raised
[Price 6d.]

page_text: or lowered. The centres of motion of the rocking frame, or the arm carrying the
brake, and the brake wheel do not coincide, but are placed at such a distance apart,
that when the lamp is not in action, the brake on the rocking frame or arm, just clears
the rim of the wheel.
When the current is started the solenoid in the main circuit lifts one end of the rocking
frame and brings the brake against the rim of the wheel. The further lifting of the
rocking frame causes the wheel to rotate and so pulls the arc. A stop is fixed so as
to limit the motion of the rocking frame, and prevent it being raised so far as to bring
the brake out of action again.
As the length of the are increases the shunt solenoid becomes stronger, and the
series weaker, so that the rocking frame is gradually moved in the other direction
until the wheel is released from the brake which allows the lamp to feed, a move-
ment of the rocking frame in the other direction at once puts the brake on if
necessary.
As the are of the circle described by the brake in its movement, and that of the
rim of the wheel only approximately coincide, the brake must be made of some flexible
substance such as rubber and the like, or must be carried in a flexible support, so
that the brake may be compressed as the arc is pulled, or otherwise the jambing
action would prevent the rocking frame from being lifted.
Fig. 1, of the accompanying drawings shows the general construction of an electric
arc lamp according to this invention.
A and B are respectively the series and shunt solenoids, and A¹ and B', are their
cores, which are attached to the rocking frame C, pivotted at D.
The brake wheel E, runs in fixed centres at F. Upon the rocking frame C is
fixed the brake G.
Fig. 2, shows the position of the rocking frame when the lamp is not in action;
the end which carries the core A¹ being the heavier prevents the brake from touching
the wheel, and so allows the racked rod to be raised and the lamp trimmed. When the
current is started, the rocking frame takes the position shown in Fig. 3, and the
brake is pressed against the wheel, thus turning it and drawing the arc.
Fig. 4, shows a modification of this invention where instead of the brake being
fixed upon the rocking frame C, it is placed upon an arm H which is connected by
means of the link J, to the rocking frame C, so that the motions of the rocking frame
are transmitted to the arm H and the brake G.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is
1. In electric arc lamps, the combination of' a rocking frame controlled by the
current, and a flexible brake fixed upon the said frame, or on an arm of the same,
such as described and illustrated.
2. In electric arc lamps, the combination of a brake wheel, and a rocking frame
carrying a flexible brake, the said rocking frame being pivotted eccentrically with
regard to the brake wheel, such as described and illustrated.
3. In electric arc lamps, the combination of a rocking frame, controlled by the
current, and connected by means of a link to an arm upon which a flexible brake is
fixed, such as described and illustrated.
4. In electric arc lamps, the combination of a brake wheel and an arm carrying
a flexible brake, the said arm being pivotted eccentrically with regard to the brake
wheel, and connected to a rocking frame by means of a link such as described and
illustrated.
Dated this Third day of September 1890
JOHN E. WALSH,
Crossley Street, Halifax, Agent for the Applicant.