A New or Improved Electric Lighting System.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Oct, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 23rd Mar, 1892-Accepted, 23rd Apr., 1892
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Electric Lighting System.
I, JAMES MERRILL ORMES, of Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, Strand, in the
County of Middlesex, Merchant, do hereby declare the nature this invention as
communicated to me from abroad by Sylvanus Lander Trippe of New York,
United States of America, to be as follows:-
Heretofore what are known as "incandescent electric lights" have been produced
by means of either a continuous, direct, or derived secondary alternating current,
requiring about fifty five watts of energy for the proper maintenance of each
incandescent lamp having sixteen candle power of illumination. In all the processes
having in view a transfer of energy from one to two or more circuits alternately
experiment has developed the following among other objections, which has so far
prevented any such process from being of commercial value. In the first place the
break in the current necessary to the transfer from one circuit to another has, in the
use of the powerful currents required in electric lighting, caused the formation of
an arc or sparking at the break to such an extent that the brushes or contacts are
rapidly destroyed and the switch so burned and fused as to become almost at once
unfit for use. The making and breaking of contact in a current is accomplished
with a drop or diminution of the electro-motive force in the supply current, which
in every instance with all appliances of which I have any knowledge is a total loss
of so much of the energy employed. These objections, with others, and a failure to
provide any combination of the necessary elements to carry into practice the theory
of transferring energy to two or more working circuits alternately, have so far
prevented any practical application of such principle.
In the use of the ordinary incandescent lamp in what is known as the " alternating
system," it is evident that there is a period, however short in duration, at each
alternation when no current is passing through the lamp. Hence it follows that in
order to produce the light it is not necessary the current should be absolutely a
continuous one. I have found by experiment and test that the period when no
current passes through the lamp may be extended much beyond what is usual in the
alternating systems without diminishing the light, as it is the incandescence of the
carbon filament which gives the light, and such carbon requires time to cool when
once heated to incandescence. The period when the current not passing through
the lamps on one circuit may be utilized by diverting the current to one or more
separate circuits and made to produce like effects, thus multiplying the number of
lamps now actuated on one circuit only, without any very material increase of
energy from the dynamo or engine. As has been stated above the making and
breaking of contact in a circuit produces a drop or fall in electromotive force and
causes two practical difficulties necessary to be overcome before this process can be
satisfactorily applied. If lamps are used of the voltage of the original supply-
current, the light is not satisfactory on account of the change in the electro-motive
force, and if the lamps of the lower voltage are used the current is not of sufficient
volume to supply the lamps. It is therefore necessary to arrange means to utilize
the induced currents in the working circuits and to increase the same by an electro-
magnet in the working circuits, transforming at the same time the supply current
by means of a switch and transformer to a current of lower electro-motive force and
greater number of ampères.
The object of my invention is therefore to provide means whereby not only a
continuous current of electric energy may be diverted from one to two or more
circuits alternately, having such current supplemented at each break thereof by an
induced current flowing in the same direction through the lamp or working circuits,

page_text: but the sparking and development of heat prevented on the switch and contact
points.
To this end my invention consists first, in the combination, with a dynamo-electric
machine or other source of constant electric supply and a series of electric circuits
for the supply of lamps, of a switch and transformer located between such dynamo
or other source of energy and the working circuits, and an electric magnet interposed
between such switch and transformer and the lamps; second, in the peculiar con-
struction of the switch and transformer, whereby it is self ventilating and adapted
not only to serve as a switch, but to also act as a secondary coil in connection with
the electro-magnet; third, in the appliances used in preventing sparking and the
development of heat at the break of current on the switch and transformer, and,
fourth, in various other constructions and combination of parts, all as will hereinafter
more fully appear.
Referring to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this Specification.
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing four circuits of incandescent lamps with
a dynamo-electric machine and my invention applied in connection therewith.
Figure 2 is a side elevation of switch and transformer, showing the arrangement
of brushes and connections; and
Figure 3 is a transverse section thereof, taken in the plane x of Figure 2.
In all the figures like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A indicates a dynamo-electric machine or other source of electric energy, which
is or may be of any ordinary or preferred construction, and B, B1, B2, and B³ electric
circuits for supplying the necessary currents to the incandescent lamps which
are shown at b. In the present instance I have shown four of these circuits,
although it is obvious that a greater or less number may be employed; but whatever
the number they will preferably be all connected with a common return conductor b'.
C indicates the switch and transformer, by means of which the current coming
from the dynamo or other source of energy is deflected from one to the other of the
circuits and back again to the first in regular succession, and so on, and the current
transformed from a higher to a lower tension. This switch and transformer is
preferably made up of a series of copper or brass tubes or cylinders c c¹,²³,
inclosed within each other and bolted or otherwise fastened together with a little
space between the several tubes or cylinders, so as to ventilate the same when in
motion. As thus constructed it is mounted on an axis e, from which it is insulated,
the said axis being journaled in suitable bearings and capable of rotation
therein through power applied to the pulley e secured thereon; or, if desired, the
switch and transformer may be mounted on a prolongation of the dynamo shaft.
The outside of the switch and transformer, in the case of the one shown in the
drawings, is divided into five sections ď ď ď ď ď. Section d is constructed with a
continuous conducting-surface throughout and communicates any current that may
be delivered to it from the source of energy to the other four sections, all of which
are connected electrically thereto; but sections d¹ d² d³ d' each have their outside
surface divided into alternate conducting and nonconducting spaces or segments e e¹,
which are so disposed with respect to each other that the conducting-surfaces of the
successive sections shall follow each other in their own planes of rotation, the rear
termination of one being opposite to the forward end of the other as shown.
the construction of these spaces or segments the nonconducting ones may be formed
by planing away sufficient of the outer surface and filling in the spaces thus formed
with some proper insulation, or these spaces or segments may be formed of a number
of detachable pieces which are fastened to the outer cylinders by screws or bolts,
as shown. The conducting-segments extend a little beyond the general circum-
ference of the cylinder and slope gradually in the direction of the motion of the
switch and transformer, but terminate at an acute angle on the other edge.
In
Resting upon the several sections of the switch and transformer are brushes or
contact strips h, h³, h², h³, and h, which are supported in place by a proper support
similar to that in use in general dynamo machines and placed with their free end;
in line with respect to the switch and transformer. The brush h is connected

page_text: through the wire d' with the dynamo or other source of energy, and the brushes h¹,
h³, h, and are connected with the four working or lamp circuits B, B¹, B²,
and B' through wires ii, which pass around the electro-magnet K, interposed
between the lamps and the transformer C. The brush h, resting on section d of
the switch and transformer, is an ordinary metallic brush or strip of copper, such
as in general use for dynamo-machines; but brushes h³ ³ ³ and h' are each con-
structed of two metal strips or separate brushes, one upon the other, and fastened
together by screws or clamps, with an insulating strip placed between the upper
and lower parts thereof, as shown at k in Figure 3. The upper parts of these
brushes extend a short distance beyond the lower parts, and to each a wire may be
attached. The under part of the brushes h¹³ ³ and h are connected directly
with the working or lamp circuits, as shown, and the upper part of the brushes are
connected through the shunts m, m³, m³, and m³ with the lamp or working circuit,
which is next in the order of the rotation of the switch and transformer, such
shunts having, preferably, a greater resistance than that of the lamp-circuits. As
thus arranged, the free ends of the brushes, being in line with each other, it will be
seen that as the switch and transformer is rotated and the under strip of one of the
brushes breaks contact with the conducting-segment thereon the upper strip of that
brush is brought into contact therewith, taking up the excess current and passing
the same through the shunt to the next circuit, then closed by the lower strip of
the next brush coming into contact with a conducting-segment of the switch and
transformer, and continuing so to pass the current until the conducting-surface
passes from under the same by the rotation of the switch and transformer, and so
By these means, as will be seen, the closing of any one of the circuits by the
rotation of the switch-transformer brings the wire of such circuit and the entire
switch-transformer into that circuit, and as at the same instant that this circuit is
formed the adjoining preceding circuit in the order of formation is broken, leaving
that portion of such broken circuit beyond or following the switch-transformer as
the only portion thereof through which the current ceases to flow, it follows that
this particular portion of the broken circuit alone acts inductively on the closed
circuit as a primary coil, while the latter circuit, with the entire switch-transformer,
a secondary coil. The average surface or cross-section of this closed
circuit, with the included switch-transformer, being greater than that of the broken
circuit, the current induced therein will necessarily be of greater volume and of
less electro-motive force than that of the primary current; but flowing in the same
direction as the supply-current it unites therewith in supplying the lamps, and thus,
through the operation of the switch-transformer, the supply-current is not only
transformed from a higher to a lower electro-motive force, but also to one of
greater volume.
on.
acts as
The electro-magnet may be made of a number of metal strips properly bound
together in the usual well-known manner and needs no specific description
herein.
As thus constructed, the operation of the mechanism is as followe. The current
proceeding from the dynamo or other source of energy is supplied to section d of
the rotating switch, and thence passes to the remaining sections d', d³, d³, and d',
with which the section d is electrically connected. The current being thus con-
tinuously supplied to the several sections and the switch rotated, the conducting-
segmente on the section d' will be first brought into contact with its brush h¹,
closing the circuit B and allowing the current to flow through the lamps 6 of that
circuit and thence back along the return-conductor to the source of supply. The
circuit thus formed will permit of the current flowing therethrough until, in the
rotation of the switch, the conducting-segment e on the section (l' passes from under
its brush, when the brush will engage with the conducting-segment of the
section d, and the circuit B' will be similarly formed. The several brushes A', h³, h³
and being made up of an upper and an under metal plate insulated from each
other, with the upper plate projecting beyond the under, the segment et on the
section d' will first pass out of engagement with the under of such plates. At the

page_text: instant the conducting segment of section passes from contact with the under
place of the brush the conducting-segment e of section d' engages with the under
plate of brush, and thereby transfers the current to and forms the circuit B³,
breaking at the same time the circuit B. The upper plate of brush h', projecting
beyond the under plate of such brush, as before explained, remains in contact with
the conducting-segment e of the section d' after the under plate has broken contact
therewith, and serves to take up the excess current, which would otherwise form a
spark, and convey the same through the resistance m to the next circuit in the
order of rotation. The circuit B', having been formed by the engagement of the
conducting-segment e of the section with the under plate of brush h³, continues
until such segment passes from under said plate, when the under plate or brush h³
will come in contact with the conducting-segment e of section d³, and so on, the
passing of the conducting-segments from and into contact with the under plates of
the several brushes serving to successively break and make the circuits in which
they are respectively located, and the upper plates, through their resistance-shunts,
serving to take up the excess of current as the circuits are broken and pass it
to the next circuit in the order of rotation. The currents flowing from the several
brushes thence pass around the electro-magnet and thence to the lamps, the effect
of which is to augment the several currents induced by the successive breaking of
the circuits as the switch is rotated.
In the practical application of this process, while the break in the metallic
contact between the brush on one circuit and the actual contact of the brush with
the conducting-segment of the adjoining circuit is mechanically made as near as
possible at the same instant, the current will begin to flow in the closing-circuit
à period of short duration before the current is broken in the other, which last
current forms an arc, as shown by the sparking developed at the break of
metallic contact. As it is the actual make or break in the current which causes
the formation of an induced current in an adjoining circuit, a period, however
short, exists between the break in the metallic contact and the break in the current
itself when the induced current is developed, and, if any induced current should be
caused in the contrary direction by making the metallic contact in the circuit being
closed, such current would act in opposition to and tend to diminish the flow of the
primary current in said circuit. The upper part of the brush being connected by
a shunt to the working circuit through a resistance greater than that of the circuit,
the current will naturally pass through the path of least resistance and will cease
to flow through the upper part of the brush before it leaves contact with the con-
ducting-segment, thereby preventing any sparking by the break in the current
in any of the circuits when the same is broken or transferred to the adjoining
circuit, as incandescent lamps of proper volume will only take the voltage
required.
The object of interposing an electro-magnet, around which the wires leading to
the lamp circuits are passed, is to increase the effects of induction in the various
circuits. While it may not be absolutely necessary to the working of this system,
it is found by experimental tests that in many cases it will prove of much
advantage, especially where a small volume of high voltage is desired to be
transformed into current of much less voltage and of greater ampères.
The construction of the switch and transformer from a series of tubes or cylinders
enclosed one within another necessarily forms a reservoir for energy, which, acting
as a stored supply, will modify the effect of any irregularity in the supply-current
and tend to regulate and make steady the light in the lamps when, as in practical
working lamps, any may be turned on or off and the number varied in the different
working circuits.
To the successful working of this system there must be a transfer of energy
from one to two or more circuits alternately, a transformation of the current from
a higher to a lower electro-motive force of greater volume, a union of the currents of
induction with the main supply current, adequate means for preventing the brushes
and switch and transformer from destruction by the heat developed thereon by

page_text: sparking or the forming of an arc at the break in the current, and an adaptation
of the resistance in the lamp circuits to the current as modified by its transter
through the mechanism. All of these features must be so adjusted as to work in
harmony, which is readily effected by the necessary change in the surface of the
switch and transformer and by increasing and diminishing the speed of its rotation
as the degree of transformation in the supply current may require, while the
construction of the switch and transformer form a series of tubes or cylinders with
air spaces between for ventilation, and the method described for preventing sparking
at the break in the current prevents the development of heat and enables the
mechanism to be operated without the destruction of contacts and switch and
transformer provided with such protection.
Although in the foregoing I have shown and described the transformer as
employing a cylinder upon which the electric conducting and non-conducting
segments are mounted, is obvious that, instead of employing such cylinder,
may make use of a disc upon the face of wbich the said segments may be formed
or secured, the disc in this instance being preferably made up from a series of rings
arranged the one within the other with a space between them for ventilation, as is
the case with the cylinder when employed.
Dated this 26th day of October 1891
JAMES M. ORMES,
Per J. G. L.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New or Improved Electric Lighting System.
I, JAMES MERRILL ORMES of 44 West Twenty-eighth Street, New York
City, United States of America (late of Norfolk House, Norfolk Street, Strand,
in the County of Middlesex, whilst temporarily in England) Merchant, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention (as communicated to me from abroad by
Sylvanus Lander Trippe of New York, United States) and in what manner the
same is to be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by
the following statement :-
Heretofore what are known as "incandescent electric lights" have been produced
by means of either a continuous, direct, or derived secondary alternating current,
requiring about fifty-five watts of energy for the proper maintenance of each
incandescent lamp having sixteen-candle power of illumination. In all the
processes having in view a transfer of energy from one to two or more circuits
alternately, experiment has developed the following among other objections, which
has so far prevented any such process from being of commercial value. In the
first place, the break in the current necessary to the transfer from one circuit to
another has, in the use of the powerful currents required in electric lighting, caused
the formation of an arc or sparking at the break to such an extent that the brushes
or contacts are rapidly destroyed and the switch so burned and fused as to become
almost at once unfit for use. The making and breaking of contact in a current is
accomplished with a drop or diminution of the electro-motive force in the supply-
current, which in every instance with all appliances of which I have any knowledge
is a total loss of so much of the energy employed. These objections, with others,
and a failure to provide any combination of the necessary elements to carry into
practice the theory of transferring energy to two or more working circuits
alternately, have so far prevented any practical application of such principle.
In the use of the ordinary incandescent lamp in what is known as the
"alternating system," it is evident that there is a period, however short in
duration, at each alternation when no current is passing through the lamp. Hence
it follows that in order to produce the light it is not necessary the current should
be absolutely a continuous one. I have found by experiment and test that the
period when no current passes through the lamp may be extended much beyond

page_text: what is usual in the alternating systems without diminishing the light, as it is the
incandescence of the carbon filament which gives the light, and such carbon
requirës time to cool when once heated to incandescence. The period when the
current is not passing through the lamps on one circuit may be utilized by diverting
the current to one or more separate circuits and made to produce like effects, thus
multiplying the number of lamps now actuated on one circuit only, without any
very material increase of energy from the dynamo or engine. As has been stated
above, the making and breaking of contact in a circuit produces a drop or fall
in electro-motive force and causes two practical difficulties necessary to be over-
come before this process can be satisfactorily applied. If lamps are used of the
voltage of the original supply-current, the light is not satisfactory on account of
the change in the electro-motive force, and if the lamps of the lower voltage are
used the current is not of sufficient volume to supply the lamps. It is therefore
necessary to arrange means to utilize the induced currents in the working circuits
and to increase the same by an electro-magnet in the working circuits, transforming
at the same time the supply-current by means of a switch and transformer to a
current of lower electro-motive force and greater number of ampères.
The object of my invention therefore is to provide means whereby not only a
continuous current of electric energy may be diverted from one to two or more
circuits alternately, having such current supplemented at each break thereof by an
induced current flowing in the same direction through the lamp or working circuits,
but the sparking and development of heat prevented on the switch and contact
points.
To this end my invention consists, first, in the combination, with a dynamo-
electric machine or other source of constant electric supply and a series of electric
circuits for the supply of lamps, of a switch and transformer located between such
dynamo or other source of energy and the working circuits, and an electric magnet
interposed between such switch and transformer and the lamps; second, in the
peculiar construction of the switch and transformer, whereby it is self-ventilating
and adapted not only to serve as a switch, but to also act as a secondary coil in
connection with the electro-magnet; third, in the appliances used in preventing
sparking and the development of heat at the break of current on the switch and
transformer, and, fourth, in various other constructions and combination of parts,
all as will hereinafter more fully appear.
Referring to the drawings left with my Provisional Specification,
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing four circuits of incandescent lamps
with a dynamo-electric machine and my invention applied in connection therewith.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of switch and transformer, showing the arrangement of
brushes and connections ; and
Fig. 3 is a transverse section thereof, taken in the plane at of Fig. 2.
In all the figures like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
A indicates a dynamo-electric machine or other source of electric energy, which
is or may be of any ordinary or preferred construction, and B, B', B', and B electric
circuits for supplying the necessary currents to the incandescent lamps which are
shown at b. In the present instance I have shown four of these circuits, although
it is obvious that a greater or less number may be employed; but whatever the
number they will preferably be all connected with a common return conductor b).
C indicates the switch and transformer, by means of which the current coming
from the dynamo or other source of energy is deflected from one to the other of
the circuits and back again to the first in regular succession, and so on, and the
current transformed from a higher to a lower tension. This switch and transformer
is preferably made up of a series of copper or brass tubes or cylinders c c¹ c³ ³,
inclosed within each other and bolted or otherwise fastened together with a little
space between the several tubes or cylinders, so as to ventilate the same when in
motion. As thus constructed, it is mounted on an axis c', from which it is insulated,
the said axis being journaled in suitable bearings e and capable of rotation therein
through power applied to the pulley c' secured thereon; or, if desired, the switch

page_text: and transformer may be mounted on a prolongation of the dynamo-shaft. The
outside of the switch and transformer, in the case of the one shown in the drawings,.
is divided into five sections ddddd. Section d is constructed with a con-
tinuous conducting-surface throughout and communicates any current that may be
delivered to it from the source of energy to the other four sections, all of which
are connected electrically thereto; but sections d' d' d' d' each have their outside
surface divided into alternate conducting and non-conducting spaces or segments ee
which are so disposed with respect to each other that the conducting-surfaces of
the successive sections shall follow each other in their own planes of rotation, the
rear termination of one being opposite to the forward end of the other, as shown.
In the construction of these spaces or segments the non-conducting ones may be
formed by planing away sufficient of the outer surface and filling in the spaces thus
formed with some proper insulation, or these spaces or segments may be formed of
a number of detachable pieces which are fastened to the outer cylinders by screws
or bolts, as shown. The conducting segments extend a little beyond the general
circumference of the cylinder and slope gradually in the direction of the motion of
the switch and transformer, but terminate at an acute angle on the other edge.
Resting upon the several sections of the switch and transformer are brushes
or contact strips h, h1, h2, h3, and h, which are supported in place by a proper
support similar to that in use in general dynamo-machines and placed with their
free ends in line with respect to the switch and transformer. The brush / is
connected through the wire d with the dynamo or other source of energy,
and the brushes h³, h³, h, and are connected with the four working or lamp.
circuits B, B1, B2, and B' through wires ii, which pass around the electro-
magnet K, interposed between the lamps and the transformer C. The brush /,
resting on section d of the switch and transformer, is an ordinary metallic brush or
strip of copper, such as in general use for dynamo-machines; but brushes h¹, h², h³,
and are each constructed of two metal strips or separate brushes, one upon the
other, and fastened together by screws or clamps, with an insulating-strip placed
between the upper and lower parts thereof, as shown at k in Fig. 3.
The upper
parts of these brushes extend a short distance beyond the lower parts, and to each a
wire may be attached. The under part of the brushes h', h³, h, and * are connected
directly with the working or lamp circuits, as shown, and the upper part of the brushes
are connected through the shunts m, m², m³, and m³ with the lamp or working circuit,
which is next in the order of the rotation of the switch and transformer, such
shunts having, preferably, a greater resistance than that of the lamp-circuits. As
thus arranged, the free ends of the brushes, being in line with each other, it will
be seen that as the switch and transformer is rotated and the under strip of one
of the brushes breaks contact with the conducting-segment thereon the upper
strip of that brush is brought into contact therewith, taking up the excess current
and passing the same through the shunt to the next circuit, then closed by the
lower strip of the next brush coming into contact with a conducting-segment of
the switch and transformer, and continuing so to pass the current until the
conducting-surface passes from under the same by the rotation of the switch and
transformer, and so on. By these means, as will be seen, the closing of any one
of the circuits by the rotation of the switch-transformer brings the wire of such
circuit and the entire switch-transformer into that circuit, and as at the same
instant that this circuit is formed the adjoining preceding circuit in the order of
formation is broken, leaving that portion of such broken circuit beyond or following
the switch-transformer as the only portion thereof through which the current
ceases to flow, it follows that this particular portion of the broken circuit alone
acts inductively on the closed circuit as a primary coil, while the latter circuit, with
the entire switch-transformer, acts as a secondary coil. The average surface or
cross-section of this closed circuit, with the included switch-transformer, being
greater than that of the broken circuit, the current induced therein will necessarily
be of greater volume and of less electro-motive force than that of the primary
current; but flowing in the same direction as the supply-current it unites

page_text: therewith in supplying the lamps, and thus, through the operation of the switch-
transformer, the supply-current is not only transformed from a higher to a lower
electro-motive force, but also to one of greater volume.
The electro-magnet may be made of a number of metal strips properly bound
together in the usual well-known manner and needs no specific description herein.
As thus constructed, the operation of the mechanism is as follows: The current
proceeding from the dynamo or other source of energy is supplied to section d of
the rotating switch, and thence passes to the remaining sections d', d, d³ and d*,
with which the section d is electrically connected. The current being thus con-
tinuously supplied to the several sections and the switch rotated, the conducting-
segment e on the section d' will be first brought into contact with its brush h¹,
closing the circuit B and allowing the current to flow through the lamps 6 of that
circuit and thence back along the return-conductor 6' to the source of supply. The
circuit thus formed will permit of the current flowing therethrough until, in the
rotation of the switch, the conducting-segment e on the section d¹ passes from
under its brush, when the brush h' will engage with the conducting-segment e of
the section d2, and the circuit B¹ will be similarly formed. The several
brushes,, h³, and being made up of an upper and an under metal plate
insulated from each other, with the upper plate projecting beyond the under, the
segment el on the section d' will first pass out of engagement with the under of
such plates. At the instant the conducting-segment e of section d' passes from
contact with the under plate of the brush the conducting-segment e of section d
engages with the under plate of brush h³, and thereby transfers the current to and
forms the circuit B¹, breaking at the same time the circuit B. The upper plate
of brush h¹, projecting beyond the under plate of such brush, as before explained,
remains in contact with the conducting-segment e of the section d after the under
plate has broken contact therewith, and serves to take up the excess current, which
would otherwise form a spark, and convey the same through the resistance m to the
next circuit in the order of rotation. The circuit B', having been formed by
the engagement of the conducting-segment e of the section with the under
plate of brush h², continues until such segment passes from under said plate,
when the under plate or brush will come in contact with the conducting-
segment of section d³, and so on, the passing of the conducting-segments from
and into contact with the under plates of the several brushes serving to successively
break and make the circuits in which they are respectively located, and the upper
plates, through their resistance shunts, serving to take up the excess of current
as the circuits are broken and pass it to the next circuit in the order of rotation.
The currents flowing from the several brushes thence pass around the electro-
magnet and thence to the lamps, the effect of which is to augment the several
currents induced by the successive breaking of the circuits as the switch is
rotated.
In the practical application of this process, while the break in the metallic
contact between the brush on one circuit and the actual contact of the brush with
the conducting segment of the adjoining circuit is mechanically made as near as
possible at the same instant, the current will begin to flow in the closing-circuit a
period of short duration before the current is broken in the other, which last current
forms an arc, as shown by the sparking developed at the break of metallic contact.
As it is the actual make or break in the current which causes the formation of an
induced current in an adjoining circuit, a period, however short, exists between the
break in the metallic contact and the break in the current itself when the induced
current is developed, and, if any induced current should be caused in the contrary
direction by making the metallic contact in the circuit being closed, such current
would act in opposition to and tend to diminish the flow of the primary current in
said circuit. The upper part of the brush being connected by a shunt to the
working circuit through a resistance greater than that of the circuit, the current
will naturally pass through the path of least resistance and will cease to flow
through the upper part of the brush before it leaves contact with the conducting

page_text: segment, thereby preventing any sparking by the break in the current in any of
the circuits when the same is broken or transferred to the adjoining circuit as
incandescent lamps of proper volume will only take the voltage required.
The object of interposing an electro-magnet, around which the wires leading
to the lamp-circuits are passed, is to increase the effects of induction in the various
circuits. While it may not be absolutely necessary to the working of this system,
it is found by experimental tests that in many cases it will prove of much advantage,
especially where a small volume of high voltage is desired to be transformed into.
current of much less voltage and of greater ampères.
The construction of the switch and transformer from a series of tubes or cylinders.
inclosed one within another necessarily forms a reservoir for energy, which, acting
as a stored supply, will modify the effect of any irregularity in the supply-current
and tend to regulate and make steady the light in the lamps when, as in practical
working lamps, any may be turned on or off and the number varied in the different.
working circuits.
To the successful working of this system there must be a transfer of energy from
one to two or more circuits alternately, a transformation of the current from "
higher to a lower electro-motive force of greater volume, a union of the currents
of induction with the main supply-current, adequate means for preventing the
brushes and switch and transformer from destruction by the heat developed thereon
by sparking or the forming of an arc at the break in the current, and an adaptation
of the resistance in the lamp-circuits to the current as modified by its transfer
through the mechanism. All of these features must be so adjusted as to work in
harmony, which is readily effected by the necessary change in the surface of the
switch and transformer and by increasing and diminishing the speed of its rotation.
as the degree of transformation in the supply-current may require, while the con-
struction of the switch and transformer form a series of tubes or cylinders with air
spaces between for ventilation, and the method described for preventing sparking
at the break in the current prevents the development of heat and enables the
mechanism to be operated without the destruction of contacts and switch and
transformer provided with such protection.
Although in the foregoing I have shown and described the transformer as
employing a cylinder upon which the electric conducting and non-conducting
segments are mounted, it is obvious that, instead of employing such cylinder, I may
make use of a disk upon the face of which the said segments may be formed or
secured, the disk in this instance being preferably made up from a series of rings
arranged the one within the other with a space between them for ventilation, as is
the case with the cylinder when employed.
I am aware that apparatus has been devised for transferring an electric current
from one to two or more circuits, alternately, and also for transforming a current
from a high to a low electro-motive force of greater volume. This I do not claim
broadly, but,
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. The combination, with an electric generator and a series of two or more
circuits, of a switch and transformer and an electro-magnet both interposed between
the generator and the circuits, substantially as described.
2. The combination, with a dynamo-electric machine or other source of electric
energy and a plurality of circuits, of a switch and transformer for deflecting the
current from one circuit to another and an electro-magnet for co-operation therewith,
substantially as described.
3. A cylinder composed of a series of metal tubes arranged the one within the
other and secured together, with its surface provided with electric conducting and
non-conducting segments, substantially as described.
4. A cylinder composed of a series of electric conducting metal tubes arranged
11

page_text: the one within the other and secured together, with its surface provided with
plurality of series of electric conducting and non-conducting segments arranged
side by side, the conducting-segments of one series being placed behind the
conducting-segments of the other or others, whereby to follow them in their own
plane or planes of rotation, and an axis upon which the cylinder is mounted and
rotated, substantially as described.
5. A cylinder composed of a series of electric conducting metal tubes arranged
the one within the other and secured together with spaces between them, the
surface of said cylinder being provided with a plurality of series of electric
conducting and non-conducting segments arranged side by side along the cylinder,
with the conducting-segments of one series placed behind the conducting-segments
of the other or others, whereby to follow them in their own plane or planes of
rotation, and an axis upon which the cylinder is mounted and rotated, substantially
as described.
6. A cylinder composed of a series of electric conducting metal tubes arranged
and secured the one within the other, with a plurality of series of electric
conducting and non-conducting segments arranged upon its surface side by side
along the same, the conducting-segments being constructed with a gradually
enlarging or eccentric portion and an abrupt rear termination, and the said
conducting-segments of one series being placed behind the conducting segments of
the other or others, whereby to follow them in their own plane or planes of rotation,
substantially as described.
7. The combination, with a rotating cylinder having a plurality of series of
electric conducting and non-conducting segments arranged upon its surface side by
side, whereby the conducting segments of one series follow the conducting segments
of the other or others in their own plane or planes of rotation, of a series of contact
pieces or brushes composed of an upper and an under part insulated from each
other for co-operating with said segments, the upper parts of the contact pieces or
brushes extending slightly beyond the under parts and being connected by resistance
shunts to the next circuits in order, respectively, substantially as described.
8. The combination, with a rotating cylinder having a plurality of series of
electric conducting-segments arranged upon its surface in such order that the
conducting-segments of one series follow the conducting-segments of the other or
others in their own plane or planes of rotation, and a series of circuits, of a series
of contact pieces or brushes composed of an upper and an under part insulated
from each other for co-operating with said segments, the under part of the several
contact pieces or brushes being connected to their appropriate circuit and the upper
part of said pieces or brushes extending slightly beyond the under part and
connected by a resistance-shunt to the next circuit in order, substantially as
described.
Dated this 23rd day of March 1899
JAMES MERRILL ORMES,
Per J. G. Lorrain,
Chartered Patent Agent.