Improvements in Apparatus for use in the Distribution of Electricity by Storage Batteries.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 14th Oct., 1890-Accepted, 20th Dec., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Apparatus for use in the Distribution of Electricity
by Storage Batteries.
I, STANLEY CHARLES CUTHBERT CURRIE, Electrician, a subject of the Queen
of Great Britain, now residing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., 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:-
The object of my invention is to provide a simple and reliable means, whereby
the potential of a system of storage batteries may be maintained constant when the
output of current is variable according to the requirement of the working circuit.
Heretofore it has been customary, in operating a set of accumulators or storage
batteries, to regulate the potential either by inserting a variable resistance in the
circuit or by switching additional cells in and out of circuit.
My invention relates to the latter method of regulation. Ordinarily more or less
trouble is experienced with the plan last mentioned, in consequence of the unequal
amount of current taken from the cells that are switched in and out for regulation.
In my invention such cells are to be equally discharged and require, therefore, an
equal amount of charging. And there will be less waste of energy, because the
cells will not have to be charged at a higher potential than the potential of
discharge.
Generally speaking, I employ a battery of accumulators, coupled in series in the
usual way, and in addition thereto a number of auxiliary regulating cells, that I
manipulate in the manner hereinafter described.
For instance, if I am working a circuit of 110 volts, I use a fixed battery of,
say 52 cells, coupled in series, and in addition thereto, any desired number of
auxiliary or regulating cells, say 12, making 64 cells in all, and allowing for a
variation of about 24 volts.
The auxiliary cells are so manipulated, as hereinafter described, that any number
of them may be thrown into series with the main battery, while the others
are in parallel with each other. That is, the auxiliary cells being normally in
parallel with each other and in circuit with the main battery of accumulators, may
all be thrown into series with the main battery and with each other, or one or more
may be connected in series with the main battery, while the remainder are in
parallel with each other. By preference, those cells in the series of auxiliary cells
that are nearest the main battery series are first thrown into series with the main
battery, as required, whilst the others, or those nearest the top or extreme end of
the entire series of cells are in parallel and are the last to be thrown into series with
the fixed or main battery of accumulators.
In addition to the means for accomplishing the necessary switching of the auxiliary
cells, and which switching may be either automatic or done by hand, I have devised
certain arrangements of circuits and switching mechanism by which one or more
batteries of accumulators and their corresponding series of auxiliary cells may be
charged and equalized.
In the accompanying drawings,
Figure 1 is a diagram showing a fixed battery of accumulators, series of auxiliary
cells, a dynamo and circuit for charging the same, a work-circuit, and translating
devices connected therein.
Figure 2 is a diagram indicating a fixed battery of accumulators, a series of
auxiliary cells and switch devices to be operated by hand, to connect the auxiliary
batteries each in series with the main battery or in parallel with each other.
Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an automatic electro-magnetic switch and
the auxiliary cell controlled thereby, for accomplishing the same purpose.

page_text: switches, &c., and
view mitnicating a complete organization with automatic
Figure 5, a diagram showing an arrangement by which a series of fixed batteries
of accumulators, each with its set of auxiliary cells, may be in parallel with a
dynamo or lamp circuit, the entire series or sets of auxiliary cells then connected
in series with each other, the said series being in multiple with the fixed sets and
also with the dynamo.
In Fig. 5-A, A1, A2, A³, indicate the fixed series of accumulators, and B, B¹,
132, 133, the corresponding sets of auxiliary cells.
In Fig. 1, the auxiliary cells B are shown connected all in series with the main
battery, and supplying current to a work-circuit L. The circuit of a charging
dynamo Dy being shown open.
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-
In Fig. 2, four auxiliary cells b, 11, 12, 13, are shown in connection with their
fixed battery of accumulators A. The first cell b, is thrown into series with the
fixed battery while the others are in parallel with each other, the hand switching
devices being as follows:-The + pole of the fixed battery A is connected to a
contact-plate C, with which the
pole of the cell or battery is also connected.
The pole of the cell b, is connected with the contact-plate D. In like manner
the pole of the battery b, is connected with the contact-plate D' its
pole with
the contact-plate C. The pairs of contacts C, D, C, D, etc., are shown in the
drawing arranged in different vertical lines. The contacts C', D', have pivoted
thereon, respectively, switch-arms c, d, that move in parallel, being connected by
cross-handle of insulating material, as usual. Similar switch-arms c, d, are pivoted
upon the contact C, D, with which the poles of the auxiliary cell 2, are connected,
and the poles of the auxiliary cell, are similarly connected to the heels
marked C3, D3, of like switch-arins c³, d³. The heel of the switch D³ is connected
with the work-circuit L. When the switches c', dare down, they make contact,
respectively, with the contacts C, D, and when thrown up, as shown in the drawing,
the arm c, is in contact with the plate D, and the arm a disconnected therefrom.
The other sets of switch-arms make similar connection. As is obvious in the
drawing, when the switch-arms are all turned down, the auxiliary cells b, 1, 12, 13,
are in parallel with each other. In the drawing, the first pair of switch-arms c, d,
is thrown up, thereby placing the first cell in series with the main battery A, and
leaving all the other auxiliary cells in parallel with each other. By throwing up
the second pair of switch-arms, the second auxiliary cell 6, is put into series with
the main battery and first auxiliary cell, while the other auxiliary cells are in
parallel. Referring to the more complete diagram, I have shown, as before, a fixed
battery A, of accumulators and four auxiliary cells b, b, 62, 63. These cells are
cach controlled by electro-magnets E, E', E, E³, the armature-levers F, of which
control the switch-contacts. Each electro-magnet is in a branch circuit e, e³, e², ³,
running from the + pole of the main battery A, to contacts swept or traversed by
a switch-plate E4, actuated in either direction by a motor Mr, and connected by
wire E, to the opposite or pole of the battery A. An automatic switch or
indicator X, of any suitable construction, has its coils connected in a circuit a,
between the
pole of the battery and the main circuit, it being shown connected
to the main circuit outside of the last auxiliary cell. The spindle a', of this device,
carries a cross arm at each end of which is a bifurcated contact-arm, whose branches
dip into mercury-cups 3. If the index finger of the indicator X deviates materially
from the zero mark in either direction, a circuit from the main battery through the
field of the motor Mr will be completed. If it moves to the left as indicated in
the drawing, a circuit . ', will be completed from the minus pole of the battery,
through the mercury-cups, to the middle of the battery. If the indicator device
moves in the opposite direction, the circuit will be completed from the + pole of
the battery by wires, through the mercury-cups, and wire y', through the field
of the motor to the middle of the battery, but this current being of opposite
direction to that in the circuit y, y', the motor will move in the reverse direction.
The brushes of the motor are shown connected by wires e, with opposite poles of
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page_text: the main battery.
If the potential of the battery A falls, one of the circuits, say y,
is completed, and the motor Mr rotated in a direction to bring the contact-
quadrant E, into contact with the contact-plate or segment of the line e, thus
completing that circuit and operating its magnet E, which acts through the switch-
devices presently described, to throw the auxiliary battery b, into series with the
main battery. The continued movement of the quadrant E, in the same direction,
would complete the branch circuit e', and its switch-magnet E, would be energized,
and the auxiliary battery ', thrown into series. The movement of the device X,
in an opposite direction, would, as already described, reverse the direction of the
rotation of the motor, and the auxiliary batteries would be, one by one, again con-
nected in parallel. The switch devices of each magnet E, E, etc., and circuit
connections are as follows: each switch-device has five mercury-cups, marked 1, 2,
3, 4, 5, into which contact-pins 1, 2, 3, 4, 5' project. The main circuit wire
from the pole of battery A, indicated by the arrow-head, only, is connected with
cup No. 1, and also with one terminal of the auxiliary battery : the opposite pole
of the battery b, is connected to cup 5, and thence to cup 3. Cup No. 2 is connected
to cup 5 of the next switch, while cup No. 4, is connected by a wire indicated by
the arrow-head, only, and constituting the main circuit wire with cup No. 1, and
with the pole of the next auxiliary battery . Similar connections are made with
the contact-cups of succeeding switches. The contact-pins 11, 4, and 5', are in
electrical connection with the armature F, while 21 and 31 are in connection with
each other, but insulated from the armature. The parts are so related that, when
the magnets are not energized, the pins 1, 2, 3, 4 are in contact with the
mercury in their respective cups, and all the auxiliary batteries will be in parallel,
but when the motor has been actuated to complete the branch circuit of a magnet,
the circuit e, of magnet E, being shown so completed in the drawing, the magnet is
energized, its armature attracted and contact-pins 4 and 5' will be in contact with
the mercury in their cups, while the other pins would be lifted out. As is perfectly
plain from Fig. 4, auxiliary battery will then be in series with main battery A,
while the succeeding auxiliary batteries will be in parallel with each other. The
circuits may be readily traced by the arrows and arrow-heads upon the drawing.
The main circuit wire, and consequently that of the auxiliary battery b, as it is
shown in series, is indicated by the arrow-head only. The parallel circuit of the
battery, is indicated by the arrow having a half head only, while the paralle!
circuit of the auxiliary battery 12, is indicated by the arrow with the full head, and
the parallel circuit of the battery 63, by the feathered arrow. With the assistance
of these characters, the circuits may be so readily traced that it is unnecessary to
specifically describe each of them. In Fig. 3 have shown a switch-magnet and
its devices, as they might be practically organized. I prefer to use mercury contacts,
on account of the acid spray, in the presence of which hard metallic contacts should
always be avoided. In Fig. 4, a charging dynamo Dy is shown, its connection
being indicated by dotted lines, and its circuit-switch being open. In Fig. 5 I have
shown an organization by which, upon the manipulation of the switch-lever G,
operating a series of switch-arms q, connected with the poles of the sets of auxiliary
batteries, a number of main batteries A, A1, A2, A3, may each be connected in series
with its respective set of batteries B, B¹, B², B³, the pairs of batteries A, B, being
in parallel. When the switch is swung to the left, as viewed in the drawing, the
circuit connections as above mentioned will be completed. In the position shown
in the figure, the circuit of the dynamo is closed, and in parallel with the batteries;
the main batteries A, A', A2, A3, are in multiple, while the auxiliary batteries B,
B1, B2, B3, are in series with them, this arrangement being desirable for charging,
and thus filling up and equalizing the auxiliary sets.
By having switches at S, S', S, S³, any one or all the fixed sets can be cut out
from the dynamo circuit, and the series of auxiliary sets alone charged.
It will be seen that, by means of my improvement, I am enabled to maintain a
constant potential under varying conditions of the circuit, and to accomplish this

page_text: result automatically by means of auxiliary cells, normally in parallel with each
other, and capable of being thrown one by one into series with the main battery.
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 I
claim is--
1. The combination with a main battery A, of accumulators, of an auxiliary set
of accumulators, circuit connections connecting them normally in parallel with each
other, and in circuit with the main battery, and switch devices whereby each
auxiliary cell or battery may be connected in series with the main battery, the
remainder of said auxiliary batteries remaining connected in parallel, substantially
as set forth.
2. The combination of a battery A, of accumulators, a series of auxiliary batteries
normally connected in parallel with each other, and in circuit with the main
battery, and switch devices and circuit connections for each auxiliary battery,
whereby it may be connected in series with the main battery, the remainder of the
auxiliary batteries remaining in parallel with each other, as described.
3. The combination of a main battery A, of accumulators, a series of auxiliary
batteries normally connected in parallel with each other and in circuit with the
main battery, a switch magnet for each auxiliary battery included in a local circuit,
circuit connections and switch contact devices whereby, upon the completion of a
local circuit, its switch magnet operates the switch devices to connect that particular
auxiliary battery in series with the main battery.
4. The combination of a main battery A, of accumulators, a series of auxiliary
batteries normally connected in parallel with each other and in circuit with the
main battery, a switch magnet and its local circuit for each auxiliary battery, a
current indicator or controller, as X, included in a shumt or local circuit, a
motor or electro-magnetic device Mr, for successively completing or opening the
circuits of the switch magnet, circuit connections and contacts whereby, when the
apparatus X is actuated in one direction, the motor is moved to successively
complete the local circuits of the switch magnets, and, when the apparatus X is
moved in the opposite direction, the direction of the motor is reversed to successively
open the circuits of the switch magnets, switch devices and contacts operated by
each switch magnet, whereby, when its circuit is closed, its auxiliary battery is
connected in series with the main battery.
5. The combination of a main battery A, of accumulators, a series of auxiliary
batteries normally connected in parallel with each other, and in circuit with the
main battery, a switch magnet and its circuit for each auxiliary battery, switch
devices and contacts actuated by the switch magnet to connect its auxiliary battery
in series with the main battery upon the completion of its local circuit, contact
devices for successively closing the circuits of said switch magnets and thereby
successively connecting the auxiliary battery in series with the main battery, and
means, controlled by the current of the main battery, for successively closing the
switch magnet circuits as the current varies.
6. The combination of the main battery A, of accumulators, the auxiliary
batteries normally connected in parallel and in circuit therewith, their switch
contacts and devices, switch magnets and local circuits of the magnets, contact-
devices controlled by an electric motor for closing the switch magnet circuits, the
circuits, y and, y, running from opposite poles of the battery through the motor,
a controlling device, as X, and its circuit and contact devices, whereby either the
circuit y, y', or, y is completed to move the motor in one direction or the other,
according to the requirements of the system, as described.
Dated this 3rd day of September 1890.
STANLEY CHARLES CUTHBERT CURRIE.