IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND MEANS FOR OBTAINING LIGHT FROM ELECTRIC CURRENTS
Year: 1879

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward Tenney Bousfield, of Bedford, in the County of
Bedford, Engineer, and William Robert Bousfield, of the City of Bristol,
Bachelor of Arts, for the Invention of "IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING
ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND MEANS FOR OBTAINING LIGHT FROM ELECTRIC
CURRENTS."
Sealed the 1st August 1879, and dated the 10th February 1879.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Edward Tenney Bousfield &
William Robert Bousfield at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on
the 10th February 1879.
EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, of Bedford, in the County of Bedford, Engineer,
and WILLIAM ROBERT BOUSFIELD, of the City of Bristol, Batchelor of Arts.
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, AND MEANS FOR
OBTAINING LIGHT FROM ELECTRIC CURRENTS."
The object of our Invention is, firstly, to simplify the construction and increase
the efficiency of dynamo electric apparatus; and, secondly, to provide means for
regulating the adjustment of the carbons in electric lamps, and for preventing the
overheating of metallic electrodes when such are used in place of negative carbon
electrodes.
In carrying out the first part of our Invention we propose to use a rotating
armature which will take the form of a drum and be composed of longitudinal
sections secured in place by means of end plates which are mounted on the armature
spindle. These sections consist of segmental armatures, the core of which is
preferably shaped in cross section, the flanges being set radially and the
induction coils laid longitudinally round the core.
Or the sectional armatures may
be made by coiling insulated wires on flat bars lengthwise in such manner that
when placed together the periphery of the drum would present to the exciting
magnets an unbroken surface of copper coils; the cores would, as in the former case,
be connected magnetically.
- The armatures may be conveniently secured in place by their ends entering
annular recesses in the end plates, which plates will be fixed to the spindle by
clamping nuts or keys. The drum of armatures thus composed is mounted between
the poles of a fixed magnet or magnets, in close proximity to which the exposed
edges of the flanges of the cores or the sectional coils will rotate. On the rotation
of the armature spindle alternate electric currents are generated in each section or

page_text: armature independently of the others. These currents may be collected separately,
or the armatures may be connected in pairs; or they may be connected for tension
by means of a commutator and brushes suitably placed in the usual manner.
Instead of rotating the drum of armatures this may be fixed, and rotary motion
may be imparted to the magnets embracing the drum.
The second part-of-our-Invention relates to improved mechanism for holding and
feeding, say, the positive carbon in an electric lamp, and thereby maintaining-the-
electric arc. The carbon is held in a grooved holder, through which, when no
_current is passing, it slides-freely until it touches the negative electrode.
When
the current passes the carbon-is-gripped-tightly in its holder. This may be effected
-in-several ways; thus the holder may form the termination of the horizontal limb
of a bell crank lever, on which is mounted-a-pressing-rod-or-lever for gripping the
carbon in the holder.
This pressing rod or lever is actuated by an electro magnet, as is also the bell
crank lever carrying the holder, the magnet or inagnets being in the same circuit as
the carbon points.
The action of this apparatus will be first to grip the carbon in its holder, and
then to lift the gripped carbon from the negative electrode through a space sufficient
for the formation of the electric arc.
A modification of this arrangement would be to withdraw the bottom carbon
through the requisite space by the action of the same or another electro-magnet.
The pressure on the carbon in the grooved holder and the length of the electric arc
should be regulated to suit the current and size of carbon by means of screws
properly applied, and a carbon pencil of any desired length may be used.
A further modification of this gripping contrivance would be to hold the carbon
between the poles of a pair of bar electric magnets, which poles would be held
apart by means of a brass spring, and by the attractive force imparted to them
when the circuit is closed, the carbon will be gripped tightly between them. These
bar magnets will be mounted on an elastic support, one being pivotted thereto in
order to allow of its rocking, so as to grip and release the carbon.
Immediately above the attached ends of the electric magnets will be a fixed
armature, which, so soon as the circuit is closed, will cause the electro magnets to
lift the gripped electrode and thus ensure the formation of the electric arc.
Another way of regulating the electric arc is by means of a wheel with an iron
periphery or rim to be acted upon and retarded in its revolution, but not to be at
any time in actual contact with an electro magnet through which the current passes
to the electrode. The distance of the electro magnet from the rim of the wheel is
adjusted by a screw to suit the strength of the current, by which means we obtain
without frictional contact a motion for the electrode susceptible to the least
alteration in the intensity of the current. This arrangement may be applied to
the electrodes in several ways, the simplest being to place- the wheel above the
electrode, and by a cord or chain wound on the wheel axle to suspend the carbon
holder. As long as the current passes to form the electric arc, the electro magnet
being adjusted will permit the gradual descent of the carbon to make up for waste;
but if from any cause-the-current-is.interrupted the electrodes will be brought into
immediate contact when the current would again pass.
A
Our last improvement relates to the arrangement of metallic electrodes, which
we propose to use in some circumstances instead of, say, the negative carbon.
simple method of carrying out this part of our Invention is to provide a metal tube
of any desired length and set it upright and place parallel with it the carbon
electrode of suitable section. The distance between the metal tube and the carbon
we adjust to form the electric arc.
The metal clectrode we preserve from over heating preferably by a strong current
of cold air generated by the heat from the light itself. On lighting the carbon the
electric current is established between the top of the carbon and the metal tube,
and the combustion continues until the carbon is wasted to the holder.
F

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Edward Tenney Bousfield and William Robert Bousfield in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 9th August 1879.
EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD, of Bedford, in the County of Bedford, Engineer,
and WILLIAM ROBERT BOUSFIELD, of the City of Bristol, Bachelor of Arts.
"IMPROVED APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING ELECTRIC CURRENTS, AND IN MEANS FOR
OBTAINING LIGHT FROM ELECTRIC CURRENTS."
The object of our Invention is, firstly, to simplify the construction and increase
the efficiency of dynamo-electric apparatus; secondly, to provide means for regu-
lating the adjustment of the carbons in electric lamps; and, thirdly, to prevent the
overheating of the metallic electrodes when such are used in place of negative
carbon electrodes.
In carrying out the first part of our Invention we propose to use a rotating
armature, wliich will take the form of a drum and be composed of longitudinal
sections, secured in place by means of end plates, which are mounted on the arma-
ture spindle.
1
In Sheet I. of the accompanying Drawings, Fig. 1 is a longitudinal sectional
elevation of a dynamo-electric machine constructed according to our Invention, the
section being taken transversely of the drum; and Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical
section of the same, shewing the drum in longitudinal section. Those details of
the machine which have no special relation to the improvements being omitted from
the Drawing. A is the bed of the machine, to which is bolted a pair of standards B, B,
which are fitted with bearings to receive the axle C of the armature drum. This
drum rotates between magnets D, D, which are carried by blocks E, E, attached to
the bed of the machine. The drum, it will be seen, is composed of segmental bars
of iron F, F, one of which is shewn detached in end view and plan at Figures 3.
These bars are made shaped in cross section, the flanges being inclined towards
cach other so as to set radially when the bars are brought together to form the drum.
The induction coils are laid longitudinally around the webs of the bars, so that when
the segments are put together to form the drum the coils will be parallel to the axle.
The bars F are placed side by side in metallic contact the one with the other and
are secured in place by their ends entering annular recesses in end plates G, G', the
former of which is fixed to the axle C and the latter is loose thereon, it being forced
up into position so as to clamp the bars F between the end plates by means of a
nut H, which works on a screw thread cut on the axle. The drum of armatures
thus composed being mounted between the poles of a fixed magnet or magnets with
the exposed edges of the flanges of the cores in close proximity thereto, on rotatory
motion being imparted to the drum, independent electric currents will be generated
in the several sections or armatures. These currents may be collected separately, or
the armatures may be connected in pairs, or they may be connected for tension by
means of a commutator, and brushes suitably placed in the usual manner. Instead
of using shaped bars, the sectional armatures may be made by coiling insulated
wires on flat bars lengthwise, in such manner that when placed together the peri-
phery of the drum would present to the exciting magnets an unbroken surface of
copper coils; the cores would, as in the former case, be connected magnetically with
each other.
We will now describe the improvements in electric lamps, which constitutes the
second head of our Invention. Fig. 4, Sheet I., shews in side elevation, and Fig. 5
in plan, an arrangement of mechanism for holding and feeding the positive carbon
in an electric lamp, and thereby maintaining the electric arc. This carbon is held
in a grooved holder, through which, when no current is passing, it slides freely until
it touches the negative electrode. When the current passes, the carbon is gripped
tightly in its holder, and it is then lifted with its holder to form the arc.
In these

page_text: Figures A is a standard, to which is pivotted a bell crank lever B. This bell crank
lever carries at its forward end a holder C for the positive carbon c, in which holder
it is free to slide, it being retained in a vertical position by a clip spring c¹ attached
to the bell crank lever B. The pendent limb of this lever receives the pressure of a
coiled spring b, which gives the bell crank a tendency to depress the carbon holder
and-bring-its.carbon into contact with the negative electrode.
'
The negative electrode shown in the Drawing is of peculiar construction-and-will-
be particularly referred to hereafter, but it will be obvious that any of the common
forins of electrodes-may-be-used in this lamp. Mounted on the side of the bell
crank lever B is-a-small-bell-crank lever D, the use of which is to grip the carbon
and prevent it from moving in its holder.
--
The tail of this lever D is upturned and carries-an-armature.for an electro magnet E
which is situate on the standard A and is included in the circuit with the electrodes.
A tendency is given to the-bell-crank lever D to withdraw its armature from the
electro magnet by means of a spring affixed to the lever B and pressing on the.
-While the
tail of the lever D. The action of the apparatus will be as follows:
circuit is open the upper electrode will rest upon the lower electrode, but imme-
diately the current is established the electro magnet E will first cause the electrode c
to be gripped firmly in its holder, and it will then lift the bell crank B into the
When the circuit
drawn position of Fig. 4, thus forming and maintaining the arc.
is broken from any cause, the electro magnet will cease to act, and the bell crank
lever B with its holder will fall, at the same time releasing the positive electrode.
On the electrodes coming into contact the circuit will be again closed and the moving
parts will return to their former position, thus re-establishing the arc, as above
explained.
A modification of this arrangement would be to withdraw the negative electrode
through the requisite space by the action of the same or another electro magnet.
The pressure on the carbon in the grooved holder and the length of the electric arc
should be regulated to suit the current and size of carbon by means of screws
properly applied, and a carbon pencil of any desired length may be used.
Another way of regulating the electric arc is by means of a brake wheel with an
iron periphery or rim, to be acted upon and retarded in its revolution but not to
be at any time in actual contact with an electro magnet through which the current
passes to the electrode.
In Sheet II. of the Drawings, Fig. 6 shews in front elevation an arrangement of
mechanism for sustaining a pair of electrodes in the proper position for maintaining
a steady electric light. A is a rectangular frame consisting of two cross bars of
wood connected together by metal rods A', A². These rods form guides for a pair
of vertically sliding metal frames B and C; the lower frame B carries the negative
The lower frame B is
carbon electrode b, and the frame C the positive electrode c.
in metallic contact with the rod A² and insulated from the rod A¹, and the frame C
is in metallic contact with the rod A' and insulated from the rod A². The elec-
trode bis fixed in a socket in its frame, but the electrode c is carried by a socket
forming part of a rack bar C¹ in gear with a pinion C², the axle of which has its
-bearings-in-the-frame-C. The pinion axle has keyed to it a metal brake-wheel C³
which receives an axial motion from the drag upon the pinion of the rack bar and
carbon electrode c pendant therefrom. This motion is however controlled. by an
electro magnet D affixed to the upper cross bar of the frame A and serving, when
in action, to attract to itself the brake wheel, and thereby partially to neutralize
the tendency given to it to rotate. The electro magnet acts upon this wheel as upon
an armature and draws up the sliding frame C, thereby parting the carbons and
forming the arc. The vertical motion of this sliding frame C is limited by stops a, a
on the vertical rods A1, A2, which stops prevent the brake wheel being drawn
up into contact with and locked by the electro' magnet D. The lower stop a
To facilitate the rise of the frame Čits
serves to limit the descent of the carbon c.
weight is partially carried by a coiled spring c¹ surrounding the rod: A. Connected
with the rack bar C¹ is a cord b¹², 61, which passing over and under guide pullies 62; b²

page_text: and 63, 63, terminates at a fixed point 64, on the guide rod A'. The guide pullies 6², 6²,
are mounted on the main frame A and the guide pullies 63, 63 on the frame B. It
will now be understood that as the rack bar C' descends with its carbon electrode
it will put tension on the cord b', and thereby lift the frame B with its carbon bat
half the rate of the descent of the carbon c. The rod A¹ is connected with one of
the poles of the electric generators, and the rod A² is connected with the other
pole of the electric generator through the electro magnets D. Supposing now the
electrodes to be in contact the circuit will be complete, and the effect will be to
excite the electro magnet, which will then lift the frame C, part the carbon
electrodes and form the arc, at the same time bring the brake wheel so near to the
electro-magnet that its axial motion will be governed by that magnet, and the feed
of the carbons to maintain the are will be thereby regulated. Fig. 7 is a front
elevation of a modification of the above described apparatus. In this arrangement
the frame B is a fixture, and the carbon electrode b has a vertical sliding motion
thereon. The frame C has a vertical motion as before described, but in place of a
rack bar a tube C¹ is employed as the upper carbon holder. This tube slides in a
tubular guide carried by the main frame. A, and it is supported by a cord c' which
passes over a pulley c² (mounted on the frame C) and thence to the axle of the
brake wheel to which it is attached, and around which it is wound. b' is a cord
also attached to the axle of the brake wheel and wound around the same at a part
which is half the diameter of that portion of the axle around which the cord c is
wound. This cord b₁ passes down by guide pullies b² to the lower end of the
carbon electrode b. By this connection of the carbons with the brake. wheel axle
the drag of the descending carbon c will cause the brake wheel axle to raise the
carbon until the two carbons are in contact. So soon however as the circuit is
established and the current passes through the instrument the electro-magnet D
will lift the frame C, as before described, and with it the carbon c, thereby
establishing the arc. The action of the magnet upon the brake wheel being pre-
cisely that in the first described arrangement no further explanation will be
required. Fig. 8, Sheet I., shews in front elevation a further modification of the
electric light apparatus.
The lower frame B is fixed rigidly to the rod A', and the upper frame C
instead of sliding as before is made to rock on a hinged joint which connects it to a
short rod A2. The carbon c is fitted to the socket of a rack bar C¹ as in Fig. 6, and
a bracket B projecting from the rod A' offers a bearing for the brake wheel C³
when the franie C is in its depressed position. The electro magnet D, by attracting
the brake wheel C³, serves to maintain the frame C in the drawn position of Fig. 8,
and when it ceases to act by reason of the breaking of the electric circuit the
frame C will fall into the dotted position. A cord b', attached to the axle of the
brake C, passes by means of pullies 62, 62, to the lower carbon b, and as this wheel
rotates under the drag of the upper carbon holder it will be caused to raise the
lower carbon at the required rate. These carbons instead of standing in the same
vertical plane or coincident with each other are set in different planes to allow of
their ends passing one another but at such a distance apart laterally as will permit
of the arc being maintained. This arrangement of the carbons will not only
ensure the maintaining of the electric light so long as the circuit is unbroken and
the carbons are unconsumed, but it will effectually prevent the formation of, a
vitreous coating on the carbon points. When from any cause the electric current
is interrupted the frame C¹ will drop to the dotted position, and thus bring its
carbon cinto contact with the carbon b, and restore the circuit. The electro-
magnet D being now excited it will lift the frame C into its raised position, and
instantly restore the arc. The brake wheel in this example is provided with a
number of segmental iron armatures, and the electro magnet D instead of being in
the same plane as the wheel, is placed at right angles thereto.
It may be here remarked that the lower carbon b in the above described arrange-
ments may be fixed instead of moveable, in which case the cords b' and pullies b

page_text: may be dispensed with, the regulation being effected solely by the descent of the
upper carbon c.
Our last improvements relate to the arrangement of metallic electrodes which we
propose to use in some circumstances instead of the negative carbon. A simple
method of carrying out this part of our Invention is shewn at Figures 4 and 5,
in Sheet I. G-is a hollow metal cone closed at-top-by-a-platinum or iridio-
platinum point, and-pierced a little below the point with lateral holes.
heat generated-at-the-point of this electrode will cause a rush of air to be.
maintained up and through-the-tube, and thus all tendency for the electrode to
become overheated will be removed.
The
Having now set forth the nature of our Invention of "Improved Apparatus for
Obtaining Electric Currents, and in Means for Obtaining Light-from-Electric_
Currents," and explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, we wish it
to be understood that under the above in part recited Letters Patent we-claim,-
First. Constructing the rotating armatures of magneto-electric machines in the 1
manner above described.
Second. The arrangement of gripping apparatus for maintaining the electric arc,
as described with reference to Figures 4 and 5 of the Drawings.
Third. Regulating the movement of the electrodes towards each other by an
electro-magnet acting upon a brake wheel, as above described.
Fourth. So arranging the electrodes with respect to each other that they will
move in different planes, maintaining at the same time the electric arc as and for
the purpose described.
Lastly. The construction of metallic electrode as above described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward Tenney Bousfield, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Eighth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
EDWARD TENNEY BOUSFIELD.
(L.S.)