Improved Method of and Apparatus for Distributing and Regulating Electric Currents.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 1st Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Left, 27th Nov., 1889-Accepted, 28th Dec., 1889
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
[Communicated from abroad by the firm of SIEMENS & HALSKE, of No. 94, Markgarfen
Strasse, Berlin, in the Empire of Germany, Electrical Engineers.]
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Distributing and Regulating
Electric Currents.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, in
the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows
This invention relates to a method of distributing electric currents, according to
which the energy-consuming devices are arranged in groups, and the several groups
are coupled in series.
The object of the present invention is, on the one hand, to preserve the unity of
the generating machinery and the simplicity of arrangement of the main feeding
conductors, as is the case in the two wire systems, and on the other hand to regulate
the potential difference for each group automatically by a peculiar arrangement of
the distributing mains and by regulating devices in such a manner that the regulating
devices can be located wherever convenient and can be easily shifted if necessary.
The action of these regulating devices being entirely automatic, the necessity for any
supervision is obviated.
.
In the accompanying drawing Fig. shews diagrammatically such a system of
current distribution. The distributing network in this example consists of four
conductors a, b, c, d, the number being one more than the number of groups which
are connected in series.
iC
The connection of this communicating network of conductors with the generating
plant at the central station-which may consist of a single dynamo machine, or of
several dynamo machines coupled in parallel, capable of being thrown into circuit in
accordance with the exigencies of the current consumption is effected by means of
single conductors C and C+y each of which connects the one of the terminals of
the generating machinery ()-, C+ with any point x, y, on those two conductors
of the distributing network, between which there is the greatest potential difference.
The number of the necessary points of connection, and therefore of the main feeding
cables, is so chosen that in the distributing network there may be no loss of potential,
which would influence the uniformity of the potential difference; such loss should
not generally exceed 1 to 2 per cent.
To this network of conductors, which is throughout constructed on the same lines,
the house service mains, or the branch mains to the places of consumption, can be
connected and the number of these branch mains may be equal to the number of
main conductors in the network; but it is obvious that generally it is unnecessary to
take more than two wires into one house.
The regulating apparatus, which have to produce uniformity of load in the network
of conductors when considerable variations from such uniformity occur, are so arranged,
in a precisely analogous manner to the house service mains branching off from any
points of the network of conductors, as to form groups connected in series, the number
of which corresponds to the number of groups in the network, so that these regu-
lating apparatus may be connected as a self-contained unit at any point of the
network. This connection of the regulating apparatus with the network of conductors
is effected in the same manner as in the case of the house service mains-by a
number of branch cables, corresponding to the number of the main conductors, and
connecting the individual main conductors to the several terminals of the regulating
apparatus these latter being thus divided into an equal number of sections connecte.l
in series.

page_text: The regulating apparatus may be accumulators or automatically controlled resistances
for maintaining constant potential difference. If accumulators are used, then under
normal conditions they will be neither charged nor discharged. If however in one or
more groups the potential difference is not equal to the normal value, then the accu
mulators will be either charged or discharged, and in this way will bring back the
potential difference to its normal value. If the regulating devices consist of groups
of resistances or of groups of glow lamps, the return to the normal potential-
difference, in the case of any deviation from it, may be effected by cutting out or
putting in resistance or lamps automatically by means of a potential relay placed in
shunt to each group, or by some similar apparatus.
An essential point of the present invention consists in the use, not of one or the
other of the above described methods of regulation independently and separately, but
in the simultaneous use of both arrangements of accumulators and resistances or
lamps.
If accumulators are used exclusively, their potential difference will drop if they
remain at work for any considerable length of time, and the regulation will in time
become ineffective.
On the other hand if automatically controlled resistances are exclusively used,
sudden considerable alterations of the groups will cause a corresponding alteration
of the potential difference, which will last so long a time as the regulating resistance
requires to complete the regulation. By the joint use of the two devices, both
disadvantages are obviated. The accumulators only come into use for the very short
space of time during which the automatically controlled resistances are equalizing the
larger alterations of potential difference. The accumulators may therefore be
comparatively small in size and can work for a length of time without any material
drop in the potential difference occuring. The number of the resistances and of
the accumulators, as well as of the regulating centres may be very variable.
In many
cases a single battery of accumulators will suffice, which could then be most conve-
niently placed in the generating station, and would be connected in the manner
described with the nearest points of the distributing network of conductors.
The resistances included in series between the individual points of the regulating
apparatus for maintaining the normal potential difference can be put in or
cut out in any suitable manner. Fig. 2 shews a special arrangement by way of
example.
Between the branch cables A B C D which connect the distributing mains a b c d
with the regulating devices, the resistances W are connected on the one side, and
the potential relay R on the other. The connection to the resistances W is effected
by means of a rotating or sliding contact K which, according to its position,
includes a greater or less amount of resistance in the circuit, the resistances being
successively added, so that those first put in circuit remain in circuit on the addition
of further resistances. The movement of the contact piece K is effected by means
of two solenoids S, S₁, the cores N, N, of which are connected to the contact
piece K. The potential relay R acts on its armature which is provided with a
spring in such a way that when the potential difference is normal, the prolongation
of the armature v touches neither of the contacts s₁ s, and no current circulates in
the solenoids S1, S2. If, owing to any alteration of the potential, the armature vis
attracted to the relay R or drawn from it by the opposing spring, the prolongation
will touch one or the other contact S₁ S² and a current will circulate in the
solenoids S1 S2 in the one or the other direction, whereby the one or the other of
the two cores N, No is attracted, so that the contact piece K is moved in the one or
other direction, and either more resistance is introduced into the circuit or some of
that in circuit is cut out.
2
The advantages which result from the above described arrangement of the network
of distributing mains and of its regulation, lie essentially in the practicability, both
as regards first cost and maintenance, of the use of the group arrangement for current
distribution on any scale.
.
There is only one generating station, and only one potential difference has to be

page_text: maintained. The number of feeding mains is small, and their section is also compara-
tively small. The distributing network consists throughout of an equal number of
conductors of small section, so that they can be arranged with greater facility for
inspection, repairs, or renewals. The regulating devices are automatic, and necessitate
little or no supervision.
They are moreover noiseless and not bulky. so that spaces for their reception on
hire could be easily found. The regulating devices are connected with the network
of conductors in such a way that they can readily be removed to another position,
without injuriously affecting the working.
7000
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Method of and Apparatus for Distributing and Regulating
Electric Currents.
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL, of No. 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent, 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
This invention relates to a method of distributing electric currents according to
which the energy consuming devices are arranged in groups, and the several groups
are coupled in series.
The object of the present invention is, on the one hand, to preserve the unity of
the generating machinery and the simplicity of arrangement of the main feeding
conductors, as is the case in the two wire systems, and on the other hand to regulate
the potential difference for each group automatically by a peculiar arrangement of
the distributing mains and by regulating devices in such a manner that the regulating
devices can be located wherever convenient and can be easily shifted if necessary.
The action of these regulating devices being entirely autouratic, the necessity for any
supervision is obviated.
In the drawings accompanying my Provisional Specification, Figure 1 shews
diagrammatically such a system of current distribution. The distributing network in
this example consists of four conductors a, b, c, d, the number being one more than
the number of groups which are connected in series.
The connection of this communicating network of conductors with the generating
plant at the central station-which may consist of a single dynamo machine or of
Several dynamo machines coupled in parallel, capable of being thrown into circuit in
accordance with the exigencies of the current consumption is effected by means of
single conductors C and C+y, each of which connects the one of the terminals of
the generating machinery C, C+ with any point z. y. on those two conductors
of the distributing network, between which there is the greatest potential difference.
The number of the necessary points of connection, and therefore of the main feeding
cables, is so chosen that in the distributing network there may be no loss of potential,
which would influence the uniformity of the potential difference; such loss should
not generally exceed 1 to 2 per cent.
To this network of conductors, which is throughout constructed on the same lines,
the house service mains, or the branch mains to the places of consumption, can be
connected, and the number of these branch mains may be equal to the number of
main conductors in the network; but it is obvious that generally it is unnecessary to
take more than two wires into one house.
The regulating apparatus, which have to produce uniformity of load in the network
of conductors when considerable variations from such uniformity occur, are so
arranged, in a precisely analogous manner to the house service mains branching off
from any points of the network of conductors, as to form groups connected in series,

page_text: the number of which corresponds to the number of groups in the network, so that
these regulating apparatus may be connected as a self-contained unit at any point of
'the network.
This connection of the regulating apparatus with the network of conductors is
effected in the same manner as in the case of the house service mains--by a number
of branch cables, corresponding to the number of the main conductors, and connecting
.the individual main conductors to the several, terminals of the regulating apparatus.
these latter being thus divided into an equal number of sections connected in
series.
The regulating apparatus may be accumulators or automatically controlled
resistances for maintaining constant potential difference. If accumulators are used,
then under normal conditions they will be neither charged nor discharged.
"If however in one or more groups the potential-difference is not equal to the
normal value, then the accumulators will be either charged or discharged, and in this
way will bring back the potential difference to its normal value. If the regulating
devices consist of groups of resistances or of groups of glow lamps, the return to the
normal potential difference, in the case of any deviation from it, may be effected by
cutting out or putting in resistance or lamps automatically by incans of a potential
relay placed in shunt to each group, or by some similar apparatus.
An essential point of the present invention consists in the use, not of one or
the other of the above described methods of regulation independently and separately,
but in the simultaneous use of both arrangements of accumulators and resistances
or lamps.
If accumulators are used exclusively, their potential difference will drop if they
remain at work for any considerable length of time, and the regulation will in time
become ineffective.
On the other hand if automatically controlled resistances are exclusively used,
sudden considerable alterations of the groups will cause a corresponding alteration of
the potential difference, which will last so long a time as the regulating resistance
requires to complete the regulation. By the joint use of the two devices, both
disadvantages are obviated. The accumulators only come into use for the very short
space of time during which the automatically controlled resistances are equalizing the
larger alterations of potential difference. The accumulators may therefore be compara-
tively small in size and can work for a length of time without any material drop
in the potential difference occurring. The number of the resistances and of the
accumulators, as well as of the regulating centres
In
be very variable.
may
many cases a single battery of accumulators will suffice, which could then, be
most conveniently placed in the generating station, and would be connected
in the manner described with the nearest points of the distributing network of
conductors.
The resistances included in series between the individual points of the regulating
apparatus for maintaining the normal potential difference can be put in or cut out in
any suitable manner. Fig. 2 shews a special arrangement by way of example.
Between the branch cables A B C D which connect the distributing mains a b c d
with the regulating devices, the resistances Waro connected on the one side, and the
potential relay R on the other. The connection to the resistances W is effected by
means of a rotating or sliding contact K which according to its position, includes a
greater or less amount of resistance in the circuit, the resistances being successively
added, so that those first put in circuit remain in circuit on the addition of further
resistances. The movement of the contact piece K is effected by means of two
solenoids S1 S2, the cores N' N2 of which are connected to the contact piece K. The
potential relay R acts on its armature which is provided with a spring in such a
way that when the potential difference is normal, the prolongation of the armature v
touches neither of the contacts s¹ s² and no current circulates in the solenoids S¹ S².
If, owing to any alteration of the potential, the armature is attracted to the
relay R or drawn from it by the opposing spring, the prolongation will touch one or
the other contact s¹ s² and a current will circulate in the solenoids S₁ S' in the one
t

page_text: or the other direction, whereby the one or the other of the two cores N¹ N2 is.
attracted, so that the contact piece K is moved in the one or other direction, and
either more resistance is introduced into the circuit or some of that in the circuit is.
cut out.
The advantages which result from the above described arrangement of the network
of distributing mains and of its regulation, lie essentially in the practicability, both
as regards first cost and maintenance, of the use of the group arrangement for current
distribution on any scale.
There is only one generating station, and only one potential difference has to be
maintained. The number of feeding mains is small, and their section is also compara-
tively small. The distributing network consists throughout of an equal number of
conductors of small section, so that they can be arranged with greater facility for
inspection repairs or renewals.
The regulating devices are automatic and necessitate little or no supervision.
They are moreover noiseless and not bulky, so that spaces for their reception on
hire could be easily found; the regulating devices are connected with the network of
conductors in such a way that they can readily be removed to another position,.
without injuriously affecting the working.
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. A method of distributing and regulating electric currents consisting firstly in
the arrangement of a distributing network composed of three or more conductors in.
groups arranged in series, the number of conductors and their arrangement in the
several groups being identical, and the branch conductors from the lamps being led
off from them in parallel; secondly, the arrangement of single main conductors,
connecting the terminals of the dynamo or dynamos at the central station with those
two points of each group of the distributing network between which there is the
greatest difference of potential, and thirdly, the arrangement on each group of the
network of regulating apparatus consisting either of accumulator batteries or of auto-
matically operated-resistances for maintaining the normal potential or of both these
means in combination, such apparatus being arranged to operate substantially as
herein described.
2. In resistance apparatus such as is referred to in the preceding claim, the combi-
nation of a revolving or sliding contact piece K with the cores N1 N2, of two.
solenoids SS through which a current is made to pass in one direction or the
other on the occurrence of a change of potential, by means of a potential relay R and
armature the contact piece K being thereby made to include or exclude resistances W
into or from the circuit according as the potential increases or decreases, substantially
as herein described.
Dated this 27th day of November 1889.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant..