IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Robert Lake, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake,
A
& Co., Patent Agents, Southampton Buildings, London, for the Invention of
"IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS."
communication from abroad by Jim Billings Fuller, of the City and State of
New York, United States of America.
Sealed the 7th March 1879, and dated the 17th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Robert Lake at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 17th December 1878.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC
LIGHTING APPARATUS." [A communication from abroad by Jim Billings Fuller, of
the City and State of New York, United States of America.]
The object of this Invention is to provide an electric light, adapted to all purposes
for which artificial light is required, a light which for lighting large areas may be of
great power, requiring but few lamps, while for the lighting of streets, houses,
warehouses, and for other general purposes may be subdivided into smaller lights of
various sizes and power, and which are rendered entirely independent of each other,
and are manageable by persons of ordinary intelligence.
These improvements consist, first, in a device having for its object the maintenance
of a large number of small electric lights along the line of a main circuit, and the
arrangement of them so that each light or each set of lights shall be independent
of all others along the line.
In this improvement electro-magnets are arranged at suitable intervals along the
line, and included in the circuit thereof. A portion of the poles of these magnets
is not covered by the coils included in the main circuit, and this portion is coiled
with a local circuit, in which is included one or more electric lamps, the circuit
being complete through the luminous point, which is preferably of platinum or
carbon heated to incandescence, either open or enclosed in tubes for vacuum or gas,
which will not combine with the illuminating material when heated.

page_text: Switches of any convenient form are employed for directing the current through
the lamp in igniting it, or directing it around the lamp through a resistance equal
to that of the lamp.
I employ for this Invention two magnet cores, arranged parallel with each other,
and connected magnetically at the ends.
Around the centre of each of these cores
is a soft iron head, and at a proper distance from each side of this is a head of
insulating material. The outer ends of these cores are coiled with insulated copper
wire, and so connected together and to the electric generator as to produce when in
action two consequent opposite magnetic poles. Between the said iron heads and
these coils are wound smaller coils of insulated wire, the fineness of which depends
upon the tension of the current required. There may be an iron arm hinged to one
of the said iron heads, so as to swing over upon a seat connecting magnetically the
said poles.
•
Now if electric currents be sent through the main circuit flowing around the
large coils, and rapidly changing in alternately opposite directions, the magnet-cores
will as rapidly change polarity, and these changes will induce in the small coils
surrounding the poles electric currents of greater or less tension, according to the
fineness of the wire composing the small coils.
In the circuit of each of the small coils may be placed a lamp of minimum
illuminating capacity.
Two small coils may be connected together, parallel or in series, for producing a
light of medium capacity, or four small coils may be connected for producing one
light of minimum capacity. These connections for producing any desired changes
in the circuits are made by means of ordinary switches, plugs, or keys, arranged in
any convenient manner. The lamps may be of any ordinary kind desired; I prefer
however those employing luminous points heated to incandescence rather than those
in which the electric arc is produced.
The aforesaid arm acts as a governor of the light by strengthening or weakening
the magnetic poles, and thereby varying the strength of the current. Any other
means of varying the strength of the magnet or current may be used.
Any number of such apparatus which the electro-motive force of the generator
will supply may be arranged along the line of a conductor, the large coils being
included in the circuit, and by means of a switch in the local circuit each or any
lamp may be lighted or extinguished independently of the others.
I prefer the above described apparatus for general use, but any convenient form
of magnet may be employed, provided the local coils are placed around the poles,
where there is a maximum rise and fall of magnetism.
A magneto electric machine of any ordinary form, which will produce alternating
currents, may be used in connection with the main circuit.
Secondly. Another improvement is adapted to the class of lamps in which the
luminous point is of platinum, carbon, or other similar material heated to incan-
descence. Its object is to prevent the destruction of the platinum or carbon by
extra currents from the generator. It consists in an electro-magnet and armature
placed in circuit with the lamp in such a manner that when the required current is
flowing a retractile spring will hold the armature away from the poles of the
magnet, and in contact with a connection through which the whole current shall
flow through the light. If the current increases to a degree which shall render
probable the destruction of the luminous material, the increased power of the electro
magnet will attract the armature and break the current, or any portion thereof, and
direct said current or said portion through a resistance sufficient to prevent the
destruction of the luminous material. I also place in the circuit of the lamp a
variable resistance, whereby the current may at any time be gradually increased or
decreased as required.
It may be a liquid resistance, which is changed by raising or lowering plates
provided for the purpose, or I may use an ordinary switch with various resistance
coils, which may be used in place of the said liquid resistance. The armature is
supported by a stand, and there is a contact screw and a retractile spring, also a

page_text: cup filled with a liquid which acts as a partial resistance, such as water containing
metallic salts or acids. The aforesaid plates may be of carbon or metal.
Thirdly. Another improvement relates to the employment of electro-magnetic
mechanism, operated by the current which produces the light in such a manner as
to automatically indicate and register. the number of hours of illumination or
other convenient units of measurement, whereby the value of the light may be
computed.
This feature of the said Invention may be used in connection with electric lamps
working direct from the electric generator, or it may be used in connection with
lamps working in secondary circuits. It may be used with each lamp, or it may be
placed near the generator in the main circuit, and register for all the lamps in the
district supplied by the generator.
If the current in which this Invention is worked be in one direction only, the
apparatus may contain a rotating armature or other similar device actuated by the
current, and the apparatus may be placed in a shunt through which only a portion
of the current flows.
When a current alternating in opposite directions is used, the apparatus should
contain an armature permanently magnetized, so that the alternate currents will
cause rapid movements of the armature.
These armatures are connected by levers or other suitable contrivances with a
ratchet or escapement, or other convenient device, whereby the motion or the arma-
ture will produce a forward movement of registering mechanism, which may be of
any convenient construction.
employ two electro-magnets, coiled and connected so as to produce the polarity
while the currents flow in one direction, and so as to produce opposite polarity when
the said currents are reversed. These electro-magnets are included in and form a
portion of the circuit with the lamp or lamps.
I employ a steel armature permanently magnetized and arranged between the
poles of the electro-magnets. This armature is attached to a lever having a pawl,
which engages a ratchet in connection with the registering apparatus, so that the
movement of the armature caused by the change of polarity of the electro-magnets,
produced by the alternating of the current, will impart a forward movement to the
registering mechanism,

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said William Robert Lake in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 17th June
.1879.
WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the Firm of Haseltine, Lake, & Co., Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, London. "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC
LIGHTING APPARATUS.” A communication from abroad by Jim Billings Fuller, of
the City and State of New York, United States of America.
The object of this Invention is to provide an electric light adapted to all purposes
for which artificial light is required, that is to say, a light which for lighting large
areas may be of great power, requiring but few lamps, while for the lighting of
streets, houses, warehouses, and for other general purposes, it may be sub-divided
into smaller lights of various sizes and power, rendered entirely independent of each
other, and manageable by persons of ordinary intelligence.
This Invention relates, first, to a device having for its object the maintenance of
a large number of small electric lights along the line of a main circuit, and the
arrangement of them so that each light or each set of lights shall be independent of
all others along the line.
According to this part of my improvements electro-magnets are arranged at suit-
able intervals along the line, and included in the circuit thereof. A portion of the
poles of these magnets is not covered by the coils included in the main circuit, and
this portion is coiled with a local circuit, in which is included one or more electric
lamps, the circuit being complete through the luminous point, which is preferably
of platinum or carbon heated to incandescence, and which is arranged either in the
open air or enclosed in vacuum tubes or tubes containing gas, which will not combine
with the illuminating material when heated.
Switches of any convenient form are employed for directing the current through
the lamp in igniting it or directing it around the lamp through a resistance equal
to that of the lamp.
In the accompanying Drawings,-
Figure 1 represents a side elevation of the apparatus connected for a single light
without the governor.
Figure 2 is a horizontal section, and
Figure 3 is an end elevation of the same.
Figures 4 and 5 are plans of the said apparatus, showing the same connected for
two and four lights.
Figure 6 shews the method of arranging several of such apparatuses along
a line.
Figures 7 and 8 are elevations at right angles to each other of the said apparatus
and the lamps and governor.
I employ for this part of the said Invention two magnet cores, arranged parallel
with each other, and connected magnetically at the ends, as shown. Around the
centre of each of these cores is a soft iron head, and at a proper distance from each
side of this is a head of insulating material. The outer ends of these cores are
coiled with insulated copper wire, and so connected together and to the electric
generator as to produce when in action two consequent opposite magnetic poles at
N. and S.
A, B, C, D, and E represent the connections of these coils. Between the iron
heads and these coils are wound smaller coils of insulated wire, the fineness of which
depends upon the tension of the current required. There may be an iron arm M
hinged to one of the iron heads, so as to swing over upon the seat O, connecting
magnetically the poles N. and S., as shown in Figures 7 and 8.
Now if electric currents be sent through the main circuit flowing around the
large coils, and rapidly changing in alternately opposite directions, the magnet cores

page_text: will as rapidly change polarity, and these changes will induce in the small coils
surrounding the poles electric currents of greater or less tension, according to the
fineness of the wire composing the small coils.
In the circuit of each of the small coils may be placed a lamp F, of minimum
illuminating capacity, as shown in Figure 5.
Two small coils may be connected together parallel or in series for producing a
light of medium capacity, as shown in Figure 4, or the four small coils may be
connected for producing one light of maximum capacity, as shown in Figures 1
and 2. These connections for producing any desired changes in the circuits are
made by means of ordinary switches, plugs, or keys, arranged in any convenient
manner. The lamps may be of any ordinary kind desired; I prefer however those
employing luminous points heated to incandescence rather than those in which the
electric arc is produced.
The arm M acts as a governor of the light by strengthening or weakening the
magnetic poles, and thereby varying the strength of the current. Any other means
of varying the strength of the magnet or current may be used.
Any number of sets of such apparatus which the electro motive force of the
generator will supply may be arranged along the line of a conductor, the large coils
being included in the circuit, and by means of a switch in the local circuits each or
any lamp may be lighted or extinguished independently of the others.
I prefer the above described apparatus for general use, but any convenient form
of magnet may be employed, provided the local coils are placed around the poles,
where there is a maximum rise and fall of magnetism.
A magneto-electric machine of any ordinary form, which will produce alternating
currents, may be used in connection with the main circuit.
The said Invention relates, secondly, to the class of lamps in which the luminous
point is of platinum, carbon, or other similar material heated to incandescence. Its
object is to prevent the destruction of the platinum or carbon by extra currents
from the generator. It consists in an electro-magnet and armature placed in circuit
with the lamp in such a manner that when the required current is flowing the
retractile spring will hold the armature away from the poles of the magnet, and
in contact with a connection through which the whole current shall flow through
the light or lamp. If the current increases to a degree which will endanger the
destruction of the luminous material, the increased power of the electro-magnet
will attract the armature and break the current or a portion thereof, and direct the
said current or the said portion through a resistance sufficient to prevent the
destruction of the luminous material. I also place in the circuit of the lamp a
variable resistance, whereby the current may at any time be gradually increased or
decreased, as required.
Figure 9 is an elevation partly in section, illustrating this part of my Invention,
and Figure 10 shows a detached view of a liquid resistance in a plane at right
angles to that shown in Figure 9, and Figure 11 is a plan of the same. Figure 12
shews an ordinary switch, with various resistance coils, which may be used in place
of the liquid.
In these Figures A represents the electro magnet; B, the armature, supported by
the stand C; D is the contact screw; E is the retractile spring; F, the lamp; G,
the circuit, containing a resistance R; H is a cup filled with a liquid which acts as
a partial resistance, such as water containing metallic salts or acids; I represents
two plates, which may be of carbon or metal, and by raising or lowering which the
resistance is changed; J, K, and A³ represent the main circuit; L is the bed; M is
a switch board of ordinary construction; N, the switch; O represents the resist-
ance coils.
The action of the apparatus will be readily understood by reference to the
Drawings.
The third part of the said Invention relates to the employment of electro-magnetic
mechanism, operated by the current which produces the light in such a manner as

page_text: to automatically indicate and register the number of hours of illumination or
other convenient units of measurement, whereby the value of the light may be
computed.
This feature of the said Invention may be used in connection with electric lamps
working direct from the electric generator, or it may be used in connection with
lamps working in secondary circuits, and may be employed in connection with each
lamp, or may be placed near the generator in the main circuit, and register for all
the lamps in the district supplied by the generator.
If the current in which this part of the said Invention is worked be in one
direction only, the apparatus may contain a rotating armature or other similar
device actuated by the current, and the apparatus may be placed in a shunt, through
which only a portion of the current flows.
When a current alternating in opposite directions is used, the apparatus should
contain an armature permanently magnetized, as shown, so that the alternato
currents will cause rapid movements of the armature.
These armatures are connected by levers or other suitable contrivances with a
ratchet or escapement, or other convenient device, whereby the motion of the
armature will produce a forward movement of the registering mechanism, which
may be of any convenient construction.
This part of my Invention is illustrated in Figures 13, 14, and 15, in which
Figure 13 is a side elevation of my improved apparatus.
Figure 14 is a plan, and
Figure 15, an end elevation of the same.
In these Figures A represents two electro magnets, coiled and connected so as to
produce the polarity shown at N. and S., while the currents flow in one direction,
and so as to produce opposite polarity when the said currents are reversed. These
electro-magnets are included in and form a portion of the circuit B with the lamp
or lamps C. D is a steel armature permanently magnetized with polarity as shown,
and arranged between the poles of the electro-magnets. This armature is attached
to a lever D', having a pawl which engages a ratchet in connection with the regis-
tering apparatus, so that the movement of the armature caused by the change of
polarity of the electro magnets, produced by the alternating of the current, will
impart a forward movement to the registering mechanism.
Having thus fully described the said Invention as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, and the manner of performing the same, I wish it under-
stood that I claim,—
First. An electro-maguet, having the principal portion thereof coiled with wire,
which is permanently in an unbroken circuit with the generator, while the poles of
the said magnet are coiled into a local helical circuit, in which is arranged tho
luminous point of the lamp; as above set forth.
Second. The combining of the several polar helices for the production of one, two,
or more lights from the same instrument, as above set forth.
Third. The connecting arm M and the seat O, arranged substantially as shewn
and described, for governing the amount of light.
Fourth. In electric lighting apparatus, an electro-magnet and armature in circuit,
with the lamp so arranged that when there is an abnormal flow of electricity
through the lamp-circuit, the said magnet will by the attraction of its armature
automatically break the circuit or direct the current or any desired portion thereof,
through a resistance sufficient to prevent the destruction of the luminous material,
as above set forth.
Fifth. A variable resistance operated by a switch, and placed in the circuit with
the lamp so that the current may be gradually increased or decreased without
opening the said circuit, as above set forth.
Sixth. In electric lighting apparatus a register operated by the current or any
portion thereof, which produces the light in such a manner that the lighting of the
electric lamp will automatically set the register in motion, and the extinguishing of

page_text: the light will arrest the motion of the said register, all being so arranged and
operated as to indicate and register automatically the time of illumination or other
convenient means of computation, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Robert Lake, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Seventeenth day of June, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.
WM DODT TATZE