IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS OR LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Harris Lake of the firm of Haseltine, Lake,
& Co, Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for an invention of
“IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS OR LIGHTING APPARATUS" Communi-
cated to him from abroad by Herman R Boissier of the City and State of
New York, United States of America,
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Harris Lake at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd January 1883.
OK
HENRY HARRIS LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake and Co., Patent Agents,
"IMPROVEMENTS
Southampton Buildings London,
IN ELECTRIC Lamps
LIGHTING APPARATUS [A communication to him from abroad by Herman
R. Boissier of the City and State of New York, United States of America,]
"
This invention relates to that class of electric lights commonly known as arc
lamps or lights.
In such lamps it is well known that the carbons are consumed, and that, in
order to maintain the arc comparatively uniform, and hence a comparatively
uniform light, some devices, known as feeding devices, must be used to feed
forward either or both of the carbons.
It is also known that where several such lamps are used in one series forming a
system, it is desirable to have at each lamp, some means, by which such lamps
inay be cut out of the circuit and the current shunted therearound, whenever such
lamp from any cause whatever, utterly fails, to the end that the other lamps in
such system may not be affected thereby.
The object of this invention therefore is two fold.
First, To provide an effective, simple, and reliable carbon feed; and
Second, To provide an effective, simple, and reliable "cut out" or means for
shunting the current around any lamp of a system upon its failure or cessation of
light giving.
The first part of the said invention relates particularly to that class of electric
light regulators, in which the upper carbon-holder is provided with a rack-bar,

page_text: engaging with a train of gearing of which the carbon holder itself is the motive
power, such train of gearing being carried by a pivotted swinging frame, connected
with the armature or movable cores of the electro-magnets, one of low resistance
and placed directly in the circuit with the carbon points; the other of high
resistance and situated in a shunt around the same.
In such regulators some detent mechanism is necessary for stopping the
downward movement of the rack-bar when the upper carbon has fed sufficiently
far forward.
Heretofore such detents have usually been fixed permanently or adjustably to
the case containing the regulating mechanism, or to other stationary portion of the
apparatus.
In such cases, the detent being fixed and the gearing pivotted, the relative
position of the two varied, leading to occasional failure.
According to the present invention the gearing for the feed and the detent
therefor are both arranged in the swinging frame the detent being thereby made
independent of the stationary frame, the detent being pivotted in the swinging
frame carrying the gearing, thus ensuring a definite relation between the two,
whatever may be the position of the swinging frame in carrying this part of the
said invention into practice I provide an electro-magnet of low resistance in the
direct circuit with the carbons, and one of high resistance in a shunt around the
same, the said magnets having a movable core. The upper carbon-carrier is
provided with a rack-bar on one side, and a frame, pivotted and carrying a weight,
is attached to the core by means of a link. . This frame carries a train of gearing
terminating in a retarding fan; the rack-bar meshing with the first wheel thereof
and communicating motion thereto retarded by the fan permits the gradual descent
of the upper carrier
i
To an arm projecting below the frame is pivotted a metal piece provided at one
end with a notch the other end being weighted so that the end may be thrown up
into contact with the vibrating fan. When this occurs the lower end of the fan is
caught in the notches, and the movement of the train of gearing and of the upper
carbon-carrier is stopped.
An adjusting screw passes up through the frame, its upper end taking under one
end of the detent so that its point of action may be regulated.
Referring now to the second head of the said invention, when a number of
voltaic arc lamps are used in one electric circuit, conditions sometime arise, which
make it desirable that a lamp be cut out of the circuit and in such manner that
the circuit to the remaining lamps be left intact.
The condition making this desirable, which is the most frequently to be
remedied, is a failure of the arc itself, arising either from total consumption of
carbon in the lamp, or from failure of the feeding devices to properly feed the
carbons toward each other.
If such condition were not at once remedied there would be an immediate
extinguishment of all lamps in the circuit, hence, as stated, when such a con-
tingency happens the lamp should be immediately cut out of the circuit while at
the same time the circuit to the remaining lamps is preserved.
According to this part of the present invention a first shunt circuit to the
carbons is provided containing a hollow or axial electro-magnet and an adjustable
resistance to control the relative proportion of current passing through the shunt.
The core of this axial electro-magnet is shorter than the length of the magnet,
and fitting loosely within it, rests at the lower end thereof when the magnet is
not charged, or only feebly charged. The resistance in this circuit is so adjusted,
that when the proper distance between the points of the carbons is preserved, the
amount of the current passing through this first shunt and around the magnet
shall be insufficient to magnetize it powerfully enough for it to lift its core to a
central position within it.
With this relation existing, if the distance between the carbons be increased,
causing increased resistance in the direct lamp circuit, a greater proportion of

page_text: current passes around the magnet, energizing it more strongly, until, when the
predetermined distance apart of the carbons has been reached, enough current
flows around the magnet to energize it sufficiently to lift its core which controls a
second shunt circuit.
This second shunt circuit contains a piece of fusible wire, that is a wire which
is a conductor of a feeble current but readily heated and fused by a more powerful
current. This shunt is normally broken by a lever or spring falling or springing
away from a contact point or anvil against which it is raised or pressed by the
core of the magnet in the first circuit when the core is lifted by the magnet.
Such closure of this second shunt circuit is followed by the immediate fusion of
the fusible wire, which normally held a lever in a third shunt circuit away from
its contact or anvil, and upon the fusion, this lever contacts with the anvil
completing the third shunt circuit, which is a plain shunt circuit around the
carbons.
In carrying the second part of the said invention into practice the main electric
circuit, is placed in connection with the carbons and I provide a shunt circuit
containing an adjustable resistance and a hollow or axial magnet whose core is
somewhat shorter than the magnet and rests normally upon the bottom of the
magnet or upon its base. At its upper end it is provided with a projection or pin
upon which rests the free end of a lever which may be a spring included in a
second shunt circuit in which is also included a piece of wire capable of conducting
a feeble current but which shall be immediately heated to fusion by the passage of
a more powerful current. In this shunt circuit there is normally a break between
the lever and its contact or anvil. There is a third shunt circuit in which is
included a lever and its anvil or contact, a spring tending constantly to press this
lever against its anvil from which it is held however (against the stress of the
spring) by the wire.
It is evident that the construction of the details may be varied without departing
from the spirit of the invention
This arrangement of devices and circuits affords a simple but certain and
effective cut-out, guarding completely against failure of a sysem from failure of one
lamp therein, while at the same time it is easy of manipulation and the one
element destroyed in its operation is capable of economical replacement.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Henry Harris Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
21st July 1883.
HENRY HARRIS LAKE of the firm of Haseltine, Lake and C° Patent Agents,
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS OR E
Southampton Buildings, London
LIGHTING APPARATUS a communication to me from abroad by Herman R Boissier
of the City and State of New York, United States of America
"
This invention relates to that class of electric lamps commonly known as arc
lamps.
In such lamps it is well known that the carbons are consumed and that in order
to maintain the arc comparatively uniform, and hence a comparatively steady light,
devices must be used to feed forward one or both carbons.
It is also known that, where several such lamps are used in one series forming a
system, it is desirable to have at each lamp means whereby, should the said lamp
fail, it may be cut out of the circuit and the current passed through a shunt circuit
in order that the other lamps in the said system may not be affected thereby.
The object of this invention is to provide an effective, simple and reliable feed
mechanism for the carbons and also an effective, simple and reliable "cut out" or
means for shunting the current around any lamp of a system upon its ceasing
to act.
The first part of the said invention relates particularly to that class of electric
lamps or regulators, in which the upper carbon-holder is provided with a toothed
bar or rack engaging with a train of gearing, of which the carbon-holder itself is
the motive power, such train of gearing being carried by a pivotted swinging frame,
connected with the armature or movable cores of two electro-magnets, one of low
resistance placed in the main circuit with the carbons, and the other of high
resistance situated in a shunt or branch circuit.
In such regulators, some detent mechanism is
ward movement of the rack, when the upper
forward.
necessary for stopping the down-
carbon has fed sufficiently far
Heretofore such detents have usually been fixed permanently or adjustably to
the case containing the regulating mechanism or to some other stationary portion
of the apparatus. In such cases, the detent being fixed and the gearing pivotted,
the relative position of the two varied, causing occasional failure,
According to the first part of this invention the gearing for the feed and the
detent therefor are both arranged in the swinging frame, the detent being thereby
made independent of the stationary frame, and pivotted in the swinging frame
carrying the gearing, thus ensuring a definite relation between the two, no matter
what the position of the swinging frame, as hereinafter described.
It is well known that
Referring now to another part of the said invention.
when a number of are lamps are used in one electric circuit, conditions sometimes
arise, which make it desirable that a lamp be cut out of the circuit and in such
manner that the circuit to the remaining lamps be left intact.
The condition making this desirable and which has the most frequently to be
remedied is a failure of the arc itself, arising either from total consumption of
carbon in the lamp or from failure of the feeding devices to properly feed the
carbons toward each other.
If such condition were not at once remedied there would be an immediate
extinguishment of all lamps in the circuit, hence, as stated, when such a con
tingency happens, the lamp should be immediately cut out of the circuit while a
the same time the circuit to the remaining lamps is preserved.

page_text: According to this part of the said invention a first shunt circuit to the carbons
is provided containing a hollow or axial electro-magnet and an adjustable
resistance to control the relative proportions of current passing through the
shunt.
The core of this axial electro-magnet is shorter than the length of the magnet
and, fitting loosely within it, rests at the lower end thereof when the magnet is
not charged or only feebly charged. The resistance in this circuit is so adjusted,
that when the proper distance between the points of the carbons is preserved, the
amount of the current passing through this first shunt and around the magnet shall
be insufficient to magnetize it powerfully enough for it to lift its core to a central
position within it.
With this relation existing, if the distance between the carbons be increased,
causing increased resistance in the direct lamp circuit, a greater proportion of
current passes around the magnet, energizing it more strongly until, when the
predetermined distance apart of the carbons has been reached, enough current flows
around the magnet to energize it sufficiently to lift its core, which controls a second
shunt circuit.
This second shunt circuit contains a piece of fusible wire, that is, a wire which is
a conductor of a feeble current but readily heated and fused by a more powerful
current. This shunt is norinally broken by a lever or spring falling or springing
away from a contact point or anvil against which it is raised or pressed by the core
of the magnet in the first circuit when the core is lifted by the magnet.
Such closure of this second shunt circuit is followed by the immediate fusion of
the fusible wire, which normally held a lever in a third shunt circuit away from
its contact or anvil, and upon the fusion, this lever makes contact with the anvil,
completing the third shunt circuit, which is a plain shunt circuit around the
carbon.
In the accompanying drawing
Figure 1 is a sectional front elevation of the upper portion of an electric arc
lamp constructed according to this invention, the casing which covers the incchanisin
being removed.
Figure 2 is a top view of the same; and
Figures 3 and 4 are views of portions of the gearing and detent mechanism
Figure 5 is a diagram showing the relative arrangement of circuits and devices
dis-associated from the other mechanism of a lamp;
"
Figure 6 is an elevation showing the "cut out" in position with the regulating
devices of a lamp; and
Figure 7 is a top view of the cut out.
Referring to Figures 1 to 4 A indicates an electro magnet of low resistance in
the main circuit with the carbons, and A¹ an electro magnet of high resistance in
a shunt around the same, B indicates the movable core of the said magnets.
C indicates the upper carbon carrier provided with teeth a on one side, and Da
frame pivotted at the points bb, and carrying a weight g and being attached to
the core B by means of a link E. This frame carries a train of gearing c F d d'
terminating in the retarding fan or flyer G; the rack C engages with the first
wheel of the said train communicating motion thereto, and permitting the gradual
descent of the said rack which descent is retarded by the flyer G.
To an arm H projecting below the frame D, is pivotted the metal piece I,
provided at one end with a notch e, the other end f being weighted, so that the
end e may be thrown up into contact with the vibrating fan G.
When this occurs, the lower end of the fan is caught in the notches e and the
movement.of the train of gearing and of the carbon carrier C is stopped.
An adjusting screw S passes up through the frame, its upper end bearing under
the end of the detent I so that its point of action may be regulated.
The operation of the devices hereinbefore described is as follows, that is to say;
After the formation of the arc, as the carbons burn away and recede from each
other, the current through the magnet A decreases and that through the magnet A¹
.

page_text: increases proportionately, the movable core B is drawn down and the outer end of
the frame D is raised, disengaging the fan G from the arm I and allowing the upper
carbon to descend the proper distance; but should it descend too far the decrease
of resistance causes the magnet A to raise its core B, so that the outer end of the
frame D is lowered, and the fan G catches in the notches e and stops the motion of
the rack.
By this arrangement the detent is made absolutely certain in its action, for the
weight of the arm I holds the notched end thereof firmly aginst the fan G and
entirely prevents its vibration.
Referring to Figures 5 to 7 it is to be understood that the lamp shown in
Figure 6, is not new and is therefore not described, as the cut out, which forms the
subject matter of this part of the said invention, may be used with any form of
regulator.
In the said Figures, 1, 2 indicate the main electric circuit, the wire 1 being in
.connection with the carbon C and the wire 2 in connection with the carbon C¹
3, 3 is a shunt circuit containing an adjustable resistance R and a hollow
magnet M whose core A is somewhat shorter than the magnet and rests normally
upon the bottom of the magnet or upon its base O. At its upper end it is provided
with a projection or pin a, upon which rests the free end of a lever L (which may
be a spring) included in a second shunt circuit 4, 5, in which is also included a
piece of wire W capable of conducting a feeble current but which shall be imme-
diately heated to fusion by the passage of a more powerful current.
In this shunt
circuit 4, 5 there is normally a break between the lever L and its contact or
anvil c.
6, 7 indicate a third shunt circuit in which is included a lever D and its anvil or
contact piece B, a spring tending constantly to press the said lever D against its
anvil B, from which it is held however (against the stress of the spring) by the
wire W.
The mechanical construction and relation of these parts suitable for carrying the
invention into effect is clearly shown in Figures 6 and 7.
It is evident that the construction of the details may be varied without departing
from the nature of this invention
The operation of the devices constructed according to this part of the said
invention is as follows, that is to say-Upon the separation of the carbons to such
a degree that a large resistance is offered to the current, or when one is consumed
so that there is no path whatever for the current through the light-giving portion,
the current is entirely or to a large degree shunted through the circuit 3 and the
magnet M, causing the said magnet to raise the core A to a central position within
itself, whereupon the pin a carries the lever L against the contact piece c, closing
the second shunt circuit through the piece of wire W.
The new circuit being of little resistance relatively to the circuit 3, 3, takes a
large proportion of the current, and the wire W is immediately melted, thereby
allowing the lever D to make contact with the contact piece B closing the third
shunt circuit 6, 7, which being of practically no resistance compared to the
circuit 3, 3, takes most of the current and then forms a permanent shunt around
the carbons C, C₁. so that the remainder of the series of lamps is not affected by
their failure.
As the fusible wire W was held in position by the screws vv, it may readily
be replaced, and should be, whenever the cause of failure of the arc has been
remedied.
It is to be noted that the shunt circuit 3, 3 is never broken and that its
operativeness depends simply on its resistance relatively to other circuits.
This arrangement of devices and circuits affords a simple but certain and effective
"cut-out" guarding completely against failure of a system from failure of one
lamp therein, while at the same time it is easy of manipulation and the one
element destroyed in its operation is capable of economical replacement.
Having thus fully described the said invention as communicated to me by

page_text: my foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it
understood that I claim.
First The combination with the upper carbon-carrier provided with a toothed
bar or rack, of a train of gearing engaging with the said rack and a detent for
the train of gearing, both carried by the swinging frame, substantially as set
forth.
Second-The combination with the swinging frame, of a detent pivotted thereto,
substantially as set forth.
Third The combination with a detent pivotted to a swinging frame, of an
adjusting screw attached to a stationary part outside of the swinging frame,
substantially as set forth.
Fourth-The combination of the main-circuit of an electric lamp and a shunt
circuit around the same controlled by a device for making and breaking contact,
which device is caused to act by the fusion of a conductor in a circuit controlled
by a magnet in another shunt circuit, substantially as set forth.
Fifth The combination with the main circuit of an electric lamp, of three shunt
circuits, one containing a magnet and an adjustable resistance, another a fusible
wire, and another a device for making and breaking contact, all being arranged
relatively to each other, substantially as shown and set forth.
Sixth The combination with the main circuit of an electric lamp, of a constantly
closed shunt circuit containing an adjustable resistance and a magnet, and a "cut
out" mechanism controlled by the magnet, substantially as set forth.
Seventh-The combination with an electric lamp, of a shunt circuit containing
contact making and breaking mechanism constituting a cut out and restrained
from acting by a piece of fusible conducting material substantially as set forth.
Eighth The combination with the circuit 6, 7 and spring acted lever D, of the
fusible wire W substantially as setforth.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Harris Lake have hereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty first day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty three.
TTENDY TT T
TTEND T
TATATAT
KE
TATUET