A New and Improved Method of Utilizing Electricity for Heating and Lighting Buildings, Railway Vehicles, and other Places, and for Operating Brakes and Signals on Railway Trains.
Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Apr., 1888
Specification Accepted, 21st Sept., 1888
A New and Improved Method of Utilizing Electricity for Heating
and Lighting Buildings, Railway Vehicles, and other Places, and
for Operating Brakes and Signals on Railway Trains.
I, ELIAS ELKAN RIES, of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland, United States of
America, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what
manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in
and by the following statement:—
My invention relates to a new and improved method of heating by means of
electricity. In order to produce heat electrically and in sufficient volume for practical
use in heating buildings, vehicles, etc., I find that the electrical current may be used
at an electro motive force far below that heretofore considered available. The current
must also have large volume, since that constitutes its heating quality. The currents.
beretofore produced in commercial quantity cannot economically be used for my
purpose for the reason that the tension of even an ordinary battery current is too high
as compared with its quantity. As the greatest efficiency of dynamo electric
generators is at high speed, it would be unprofitable to reduce their speed simply to
obtain a very low electro motive force. A single cell of primary battery produces
an electro motive force of two Volts. According to my system an electro motive
force of two Volts and over involves a great waste of energy as by my methods a
current of two Volts having an intensity of 25 Amperes can be converted sub-
stantially into a current of one-half Volt pressure, and 100 Amperes intensity,
thereby obtaining a heating capacity four times as great for the same expendi-
ture of energy. If the necessary resistance of the heating devices can be made
sufficiently low the heating effects possible can be still further increased. The low
tension heating currents referred to are produced by an inductional transformer,
the primary circuit of which is usually of comparatively fine wire, and receives
alternating or intermittent high tension currents from any suitable source. The
secondary coils are of very large wire having few convolutions and extremely low
resistance. The electric heaters are connected in parallel order between the large
secondary conductors and the transformers should be placed as near to the point
from which the heat is distributed in order to save cost of conductors and absorption
of current thereby.

page_text: A very important feature of my invention consists in the perfect automatic self-
regulation of the heating devices. I find that when all the heaters in circuit are
adjusted so as to have a substantially equal resistance, that when heated it will be
impossible for one to become much hotter than the rest since, on account of their very
low resistance, the increase in resistance when heated will be proportionately so
great as to divert the low tension currents from the overheated heat, developing
device or devices to those which are less heated. For example, a heater in a closed
room or other place where the heat developed was not rapidly carried away would
soon become overheated, whereas a heater situated in a draft of air and receiving
current from the same source, would not be sufficiently so.
According to my invention, however, the overheating of the heater in the closed
room raises its resistance sufficiently to materially diminish the amount of current
flowing therethrough, preventing further excess of heat, the full amount of current
meanwhile passing in the less heated device from which the heat developed is rapidly
radiated.
One method of carrying out my invention is to provide a central station with high
tension generators of the alternating type, the working circuit thereof extending
through the entire district covered. Branch leads are run from the main circuit to
buildings along the line and the primary coils of the transformer in said buildings are
connected therewith, preferably in parallel, and if desired they may be connected in
series, multiple series, or in other economical relationship, according to the length of
the circuit or circuits, and the number of transformers, the principle being to utilize a
high tension current on a small line wire as fully as possible. Isolated plants will be
arranged in accordance with the foregoing.
When a high tension continuous current is used and it is desired to reduce its
tension and increase its quantity, for the production of light or heat, branch circuits
provided with heating or lighting devices are supplied with pole changers and
inductional transformers for producing the effect above described.
In addition to the various domestic uses referred to, my invention finds a particularly
desirable application in the heating of railway cars and other moving vehicles, and is
applicable to long heavy trains or individual cars, electrically propelled or otherwise.
When a train is running on a down grade, or preparing to stop at stations, there is an
enormous amount, amounting sometimes to several hundred horse power, wasted in
brake friction, which may be availed of for the production of currents of electricity,
by means of generators mounted upon the locomotive, and driven from the axle or
periphery of one or other of the driving wheels. In case the train is so heavy that the
power developed would be too great to handle at a single point, a generating dynamo
can be attached to the axle of one or more of the cars, suitable automatic devices being
provided for bringing said generators into action only at such times as the train is
running on its momentum.
The intermittent currents from the momentum driven generators are conveyed
through suitable transformers to heating apparatus located in the most favorable
positions upon the several cars, and capable of quickly receiving a large amount of
heat and then gradually giving off the same by radiation, so that the heating effect
may be continuous from an intermittent supply. In this connection advantage is
taken of the capacity of water for storing heat and gradually parting with the same
by radiation. In order to prevent freezing in winter I mix a quantity of sodium
chloride with the water, and in very cold climates solutions may be employed made
with magnesium or calcium chloride. The solution used is contained within and
partly fills a heat radiating tube which should be coated outside and inside with a thin
coating of asphaltum or other heat conducting substance, which tube when charged
will last indefinitely, and after having been placed in position and properly connected
with the energizing circuit will require no further attention. Instead of a tube
containing a liquid adapted to be rapidly heated by the passage of a heavy current, I
may use a block of plaster, terra-cotta, or a similar substance having a conductor
embedded therein. I also contemplate using different forms of direct radiating
devices.

page_text: For some purposes it may be more convenient to use a steam driven aynimo praced
upon the locomotive. When that is the case I use it either exclusively or in connec-
tion with the momentum driven generators just referred to.
Where a continuous supply of current is available as from a steam driven dynamo,
on the locomotive, the heating devices will be composed of thin corrugated bands or
strips of copper or other metal, so formed as to expose a large radiating surface
Where, however, the supply is intermittent, as from momentum driven generators, the
indirect radiators heretofore referred to are employed.
In order to warm the cars before the train starts from the terminal station, 1
provide a special station plant using primary current from any available source, the
secondary conductors from which lead to the various station tracks and are provided
with suitable couplings whereby they can be connected to one or more cars of the
train. Instead of a separate stationary plant, however, I may equip the shifting
engine with a steam driven dynamo, this engine to remain connected to the heating
system on the train, for a sufficient time after the cars are assembled to warm them
preparatory to their reception of passengers.
For the better comprehension of my invention I will now proceed to describe it in
connection with the accompanying drawings.
Fig. 1 illustrates that form of my invention in which a generator A, at a central
station, distributes high tension alternating currents of electricity by small
conductors 1, 2. Consuming stations are shown diagrammatically at A1, A2, A³, and
each includes one or more transformers B, the primary coils 6, of which are connected
in the main circuit in multiple arc. Secondary circuits 3, 4, extend as short a
distance as possible from their transformers and include heat radiating devices, as
folded metallic strips a, corrugated metal plates a¹, or the steam pipes a³, such as are
found in many buildings where systems of steam heating have been used.
Fig. 1, shows a desirable form of inductional transformer consisting of an annular
iron core having a number of primary coils b, connected in series. Secondary coils b¹,
consisting of a few turns of very large conductor are wound upon the annular core in
alternation with the primary coils, and connected in multiple arc with their working
conductors, as shown.
Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of two adjoining houses, each provided with independent
inductional and generating apparatus. The house C, has a generator A, and a single
large transformer B¹, located in the generator circuit, from which the secondary
conductors 3, 4, extend to the different rooms where they are connected to sets of
steam radiating pipes a², substantially as shown in Fig. 1, or to other forms of heat
developing conductors, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 3.
In house D, duplex transformers B2, are provided, one in each apartment. Said
transformers are provided with secondary coils of different character, so that one coil
may be utilized to furnish current for incandescent lamps C, while the other
furnishes current of a lower tension and larger volume to operate the heating
devices C. With this arrangement the high tension circuit 5, 6, extends throughout
the building and includes all the transformers, preferably in multiple arc.
The
transformer B, is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 4. In Fig. 5 is shown, also
diagrammatically, a modification of Fig. 4, in which the circuits of different character
are each provided with a separate transformer B3, B4, the arrangement being
otherwise identical. The primary coils may be in series as shown, or in multiple arc.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9, show different forms of thermostatic cut-outs provided for the
purpose of automatically opening the heating circuit, or the circuit of any particular
heater, in case of excess of current.
In Figs. 6 and 7, a fixed pari d, of the secondary circuit conductor is placed in
proximity to a spring contact d', proportioned to carry the desired current without
overheating, but which, when the desired limit has been reached, will by expansion
move away from the fixed conductor d, and open the circuit.
Figs. 8 and 9 show heaters formed in whole or in part of folds of thin sheet metal ;
when overheated they will, by expansion, draw away their contact d³, break the
circuit, and stop the flow of current. In Fig. 9 one contact d, is adjustable.

page_text: Figs. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, illustrate my method as operated with a continuous main
current. As illustrated in Fig. 10, E, is the main generator from which the current
is led by conductors 7, 8, to the various consuming stations of which two are indicated
at E', E2. The consuming stations are shown as in series, a suitable regulator or
resistance d, spanning the branch to control the amount of current passing thereinto.
The supply current is utilized to maintain the charge in storage battery F, from
which extends the local branch circuit 9, 10, in which may be connected the various
translating devices it is desired to utilize. In Fig. 10, 1 have shown a circuit
including incandescent lamps C³, also a motor C, and a heating circuit, which latter
includes also a pole changer F¹, for converting the continuous current supplied to the
primary coils, of the transformer B³, into one of alternating polarity. A resistance
⚫ switch is also provided in this, as it may be in every other transformer primary
circuit, for regulating the amount of current supplied thereto. The other consuming
station E2, is not further illustrated, being substantially similar to what is shown in
· Fig. 10.
e
In Figs. 11, 12, I have shown in side elevation and plan view, a railway car equipped
as just described with reference to Fig. 10. A continuous current supply generator E,
is mounted upon one of the trucks of the car and its armature shaft l, rotatably connected
by suitable gearing f, f¹, with one of the axles f, thereof. A storage battery 12, is
in circuit therewith, and lighting, heating, brakeing, and signalling circuits are.
arranged to be placed in circuit therewith, as more fully shown in the diagram,
Fig. 13.
A commutator switch G, receives the current from the storage battery
through a switch H, representing the divisions of the battery, and distributes it to a
circuit 11, 12, including electrically operated brake apparatus I, a circuit 13, 14,
including signalling devices i, a lighting circuit 15, 16, including lamps, or to the
circuit 17, 18, of the pole changer F, or to all of them simultaneously and in desired
proportion. The heating circuit 19, 20, is operated by the alternating current from
pole changer F¹, as described with reference to Fig. 10. Two or more cars may be
in circuit with one heating apparatus the conductors being provided with suitable
couplings h, for that purpose.
Any suitable heating devices may be placed in the heating circuit 19, 20. In Fig. 14,
the heating circuit just referred to is shown as being operated by a current received
directly from the generator E. I conteinplate, however, using a storage battery in
this circuit also, the connections thereto being represented at 21, 22. When the said
circuit is being supplied from the storage battery the generator circuit is opened by a
manual or other switch g, to prevent the storage battery discharging through the
generator.
Fig. 15 represents a portion of a railway train. As shown, a steam driven
alternating current generator A, is carried by the locomotive, the high tension circuit
conductors 1, 2, of which are formed into a cable h¹, and being provided with suitable
couplings, between the cars, may extend through the entire train. Only a single
car J, is shown, but each car is provided with transformers B, which are all connected
in the main circuit and constitute consuming stations, substantially as described in
Fig. 1.
Each transformer feeds a short secondary circuit including heating
devices h³.
In Figs. 16, 16, 16, 17, and 18, is illustrated an arrangement whereby a railway
train is heated direct from transforming apparatus carried upon the locomotive. The
current being produced by an alternating current generator A, driven from one of the
axies thereof and the heating currents conducted throughout the train by large
conductors 19, 20, between which heaters 4, are connected, as indicated in the car J,
and also in diagram in Fig. 18.
In Fig. 17, is a detail view showing the connections between the axle ½³, of the
locomotive and the generator, and also showing the transformer B7, on an enlarged scale.
Figs. 16, and 16", show different methods of pivotally mounting a continuous
current exciter K, for operating the field magnets of the generator, said exciter being
arranged to be driven by frictional contact with the periphery of one of the driving
wheels h, of the locomotive..

page_text: In Fig. 19 is shown a diagram of a number of station tracks I, upon which are a
number of cars J2, getting ready to start. The cars are provided with heating devices
of any desired form. A stationary alternating current generator A, is provided, the
line wires 1, 2, from which extend throughout the station and the waiting or standing
cars are heated by means of a temporary connection with said supply circuit.
Figs. 20, 21, 21, and 22, show my invention as applied to the heating of separate
cars or vehicles. To one of the axles J³, is geared a counter-shaft J, upon which are
the armatures of a continuous current exciter K, and an alternating current
generator A. The working circuit 23, 24, of the generator, includes the primary coils
of two or more transformers B38, desirably arranged in parallel order.
The field magnet coils of the exciter are wound in sections, one terminal of each
being carried to a switch L, the others to the negative commutator brush. The
positive commutator brush is connected by conductor 27, with the field magnet coils
of the generator A, the return conductor 28, from which is connected to a switch
lever k, the extremity of which may move over terminals j³, 1, ³, j, j³, l¹, 1ª, 1³, 1ª, 1º,
connected with the terminals of the sections of the field magnet of the exciter, shown
assembled in cable K', extending from switch L, back to the exciter. The switch
leverk, is continued downward in the form of a pendulum k, so that whenever the
car is on a down.grade it will swing forward and move its contact M, onto more or
more of the field magnet terminals in accordance with the steepness of the grade, thereby
controlling the output of the exciter and energizing the field magnet of the generator
to a degree proportioned automatically to the surplus power available. The double
set of contacts are connected and permit the cars to travel over the same road
backward or forward.
In order to prevent confusion, a movable stop m, is provided, which being inserted
behind the pendulum in whichever direction the car may be moving, prevents its
moving backward over the wrong set of terminals when on an up grade.
The arrangement just described is shown theoretically in Fig. 22. Wherever the
source of electricity is intermittent, it is desirable to use the form of heater shown
in Figs. 11, 12, 15, 20, 21, 23, 24, and 25. This form of radiator includes a main
radiating conductor 29, connected in multiple are with the secondary conductors,
or forming a part of the secondary circuit of the transformers. The conductor 29,
is adapted to be quickly and at times highly heated by the current the momentum
of the train is capable of developing, and is enclosed within a metallic tube O,
preferably corrugated, said tube also containing a quantity of non-freezing liquid
which is heated and its temperature kept up by the frequent heatings of the con-
ductors 29, and acts as a storage reservoir for heat, from which radiation is constant.
The corrugated tube itself may be the conductor, as shown in Fig. 24. It will then
radiate beat directly when under the influence of the heating current, and also
heat the contained liquid, causing it to act as an indirect radiator when current is
no longer circulating. Solid substances may also be used to rapidly receive and
gradually give off heat. As shown in Figs. 25 and 26, the heating conductor
is embedded in plaster of paris, terra-cotta, or other suitable refractory material 02.
In Figs. 27 and 28, I have shown solid cores of terra-cotta, or similar substance
enveloped by a perforated sheath Q, or a continuous strip of heating conductor R,
which when in action will radiate heat directly and also store heat in its supporting
core, to be in turn radiated when no current is passing through said conductors.
Fig. 29 shows a convenient form of heater consisting of a single plate S, of any
non-oxidizable metal, preferably of copper, out of which spaces r, are punched,
leaving the end piece connected by thin metallic strips q, which are then fluted or
corrugated to allow for expansion and contraction without strain.
Fig. 30 shows a form of beater comprising a frame composed of metallic ends T,
and insulated sides T', between which metallic strips t, are connected. Fig. 31 shows
a wall-pocket or pockets, similar to an ordinary hot air register, in which a slitted
heat radiating plate U, is mounted, the air being heated by entering from below
and passing through interstices in said plate.
Figs. 32, 33, indicate a different form of wall-pocket in which a number of

page_text: corrugated strips or plates S, are secured so that hot air will be radiated there-
from into the apartinent in the walls of which they are secured.
Many other forms of heat-developing conductors may be used in connection
with my system, and I also contemplate in some cases substituting a manual for
an automatic switch in the ear heating apparatus, and I therefore do not limit
myself to the specific means herein described for practising my said invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what 1
claim is:
1. In a system of heating by electricity, the use of exposed heat developing
conductors operated in multiple arc.
2. In a system of heating by electricity, the use of heat radiating and storing
devices.
3. The method herein described of heating by electricity, whether upon a building
or a moving vehicle, which consists in utilizing low tension secondary currents in
heat developing conductors.
4. The method herein described of producing electric currents for heating,
lighting, etc. on moving vehicles, by which the surplus power of momentum of the
moving vehicle is utilized for the generation of the primary current.
5. The method herein described for producing electric currents for heating
moving vehicles, and for other purposes, consisting in the generation of current by
the momentum or surplus power thereof, passing said current or currents through
the primary coils of a transformer and utilizing the secondary currents thereof by
means of suitable heat developing conductors connected therewith.
6. A system of heating by electricity, consisting essentially of a source of
alternating current, an inductional transformer having its- primary in circuit with
said source, and the secondary circuit of which is of very low resistance, and
conductors consisting of exposed heat radiating metallic bodies connected in multiple
are between the secondary circuit conductors.
L
7. The combination with suitable circuit and heat radiating devices included
therein, of an automatic cut-out consisting of a bent or folded metallic strip adapted
to carry the normal current without overheating but to be sufficiently heated by an
abnormal increase of current to expand and open the circuit.
8. The combination with an electric circuit, of heat radiating conductors formed in
whole or in part of a bent or folded strip or strips the extremity or extremities of
which are provided with contacts normally held in circuit by the resilience of the
conductor but adapted to be separated and the radiator circuit opened by the expansion
of the metal under excessive heat.
-
9. The combination with suitable source of continuous currents of electricity, of a
secondary battery arranged to receive current therefrom, a distributing circuit and
branch circuits extending therefrom and including electric heating apparatus and
other translating devices of varying character.
10. The combination with suitable source of continuous currents of electricity, of a
secondary battery receiving current therefrom, a distributing switch in the external
circuit of said battery, a branch circuit including electric lamps or other translating
devices arranged in multiple arc and extending from said switch, and another branch
including a pole changer, an inductional transformer, operated by the interrupted
current, and heating devices included in a circuit of low resistance extending from
the secondary coils of the inductional transformer.
11. The combination with a source of continuous currents of high tension, of two or
more consumption circuits supplied therefrom and containing translating devices
requiring currents of different character or quality, and means for interrupting o
altering the current in one of said circuits without interfering with the continuous
flow of current in the remaining circuit or circuits.
12. In a system of heating by electricity, the combination with suitable low
resistance supply conductors, of a plurality of low resistance heat developing

page_text: conductors arranged in multiple are between the said supply conductors, and adapted
to automatically regulate the heat developed in cach by variation in the flow of current
therethrough caused by the change in their respective resistances due to the heat
developed.
13. In a system of heating by electricity, a vehicle provided with an electric
generator arranged to be driven when the vehicle is in motion, an inductional trans-
former or transformers in the generator circuit, heat radiating devices in the trans-
former circuit, and means for automatically closing the generator circuit when the
vehicle is moving on a descending grade and for opening said circuit on an ascending
grade.
14. In a system of heating by electricity, the combination of a moving vehicle, a
generator of electricity arranged to be driven by the movement thereof under desired
conditions, an inductional transformer and heating devices in the secondary circuit of
the transformer, said heating devices being capable of rapidly receiving a large
quantity of heat, and slowly giving out the same by radiation.
S
1
TY G
In presence of
FRANKLAND JANNUS.
ALBERT H. HENDERSON.
20th day of March, A.D. 1000.
ELIAS ELKAN RIES.