An Automatic Switch for Electric Current Transformers.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application, 1st June, 1892
Complete Specification Left, 28th Feb., 1893-Accepted, 27th May, 1893
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Switch for Electric Current Transformers.
RICHARD NORMAN LUCAS Translator of Languages of 8 Featherstone Buildings
Holborn in the County of London ARTHUR JAMES MAYNE Engineer Woking in
the County of Surrey and ANTHONY GEORGE NEW Electrical Engineer 12 Palace
Chambers Westminster London in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the
nature of this invention to be as follows:-
The object of the present invention is to afford a means of causing a primary or
high tension coil circuit in alternating current transformers to be cut out auto-
matically when the secondary or low tension circuit is broken and to cause it to
become connected again with the high tension mains also automatically when the
secondary circuit is closed (say by switching on a lamp) and in this way to avoid
the loss of electrical energy which under existing circumstances results from leaving
the primary coil of the transformer permanently in circuit.
To attain the object we have in view we have devised an arrangement such that
whenever the secondary circuit is made the primary transformer coil is switched on
and when the secondary circuit is broken the said primary coil is switched off
(i.e. thrown out of connection with the mains).
The manner in which this is carried out is as follows.
The secondary current or a part of the secondary current is caused to store up
during the time it is flowing a certain amount of its energy or in other words to
convert a certain portion of its actual energy into potential energy. Part of the
energy thus stored up we make use of (at the moment when it is desired to close
the secondary circuit e.g. by turning on a lamp) to actuate a mechanism for
establishing connection between the primary coil of the transformer and the mains.
We make use of another portion of the stored up energy to actuate a similar
mechanism for cutting out the primary coil when the secondary circuit is broken
e.g. the last light turned out.
This end is attained by the use of a system of relays or electric freeing appliances
to which current is supplied from a dry cell or other battery or from a small
separate transformer or from a high resistance circuit between the mains. One or
inore of these relays are so arranged as to liberate the mechanism which switches
in the primary coil of the transformer at the moment in which the secondary circuit
is closed. The other relay or relays are so arranged as to liberate the mechanism
which cuts cut the said primary coil of the transformer in the moment when the
secondary circuit is broken.
To store up the energy as above mentioned we make use either of the fact that
alternating current electro magnets will as is well known repel closed rings or coils
which being attached to lever arms may be impelled upwards till the levers or rings
are caught and held by catches controlled by the relays above described or we
adopt the principle of permitting a selonoid or coil to be sucked into or expelled
from another selonoid or system of selonoids or coils arranged so as to come into
circuit successively. Or we employ the mutual attraction and repulsion of electro-
magnets or finally we may use electro-motors to wind up weights to be liberated
at the moments above specified by the relays or for compressing gasses or springs.
We store up the energy obtained from any or all of these sources or combination
of the same either by increasing the attraction of gravitation as in the case of the
rings and levers alluded to above or by comprising springs or air or gasses (in a
confined space) or generally by causing work to be done in such a way that its
mechanical equivalent can be reobtained and rendered available for the purpose in

page_text: view viz. that of actuating the mechanism or switch for making or breaking
connection between the primary circuit or coil of the transformer and the mains.
We have described the above arrangements as actuated only from the secondary
circuit since this is the safest and most practical method of proceeding but the
principal of our invention may also be practically carried out by using a portion of
the primary current to store up energy..
We do not confine ourselves to storing up energy from either the primary or
secondary coil though we regard doing so as the more economical proceedure. We
may in fact store up the energy from a dry cell or battery or even by mechanical
arrangements such as clockwork provided only that the stored up energy be
employed to perform the operation of switching in and off the primary coil as
described whenever the secondary circuit is made or broken that being the main
feature of our invention.
We are aware that switches are in existence for severing the connection
between the primary coil of the transformer and the mains when the secondary
circuit is broken (ie. the last lamp turned out) but they do not re-establish that
connection when the secondary circuit is again closed (i.e. a lamp turned on).
Our invention differs from this both by reason of its greater utility inasmuch as it
establishes connection between the primary coil of the transformer and the mains
when the secondary circuit is closed in addition to breaking that connection when the
secondary circuit is interrupted as also by the different means adopted for carrying
out the invention practically as described herein.
Dated this 1st day of June 1899
RICHARD NORMAN LUCAS.
ARTHUR JAMES MAYNE.
ANTHONY G. NEW.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
An Automatic Switch for Electric Current Transformers.
RICHARD NORMAN LUCAS of 8 Featherstone Buildings Holborn Translator of
Languages, ARTHUR JAMES MAYNE of Woking Surrey Engineer, ANTHONY
GEORGE NEW of Palace Chambers Westminster Electrical Engineer 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 the present invention is to afford a means of causing the primary
or high tension circuit in alternating current transformers to be cut out automatically
when the secondary or low tension circuit is broken, and to cause it to become
connected again with the high tension mains, also automatically, when the secondary
circuit is closed, (say by switching on a lamp) and in this way to avoid the loss of
electrical energy which under existing circumstances, results from leaving the
primary coil of the transformer permanently in circuit.
To attain the object we have in view, we have devised an arrangement such that,
whenever the secondary circuit is made, the primary transformer coil is switched
on, and when the secondary circuit is broken the said primary coil is switched off
(i.e. thrown out of connection with the mains).
The manner in which this is carried out is as follows:-
The secondary current or a part of the secondary current, is caused to store up,
during the time it is flowing, a certain amount of its energy, or in other words, to
convert a certain portion of its actual energy into potential energy. Part of the
energy thus stored up, we make use of, (at the moment when it is desired to close
the secondary circuit, e.g. by turning on a lamp) to actuate a mechanism for
establishing connection between the primary coil of the transformer and the
mains. We make use of another portion of the stored up energy to actuate a
similar mechanism for cutting out the primary coil when the secondary circuit is
broken e.g. the last light turned out, or we combine these two separate mechanisms

page_text: to present greater practical advantages.
This end is attained by the use of a system of relays or electric freeing
appliances, to which current is supplied from a dry cell or other battery or from a
high resistance circuit between the mains. One or more of these relays are so
arranged as to liberate the mechanism which switches in the primary coil of the
transformer at the moment in which the secondary circuit is closed. The other
relay or relays are so arranged as to liberate the mechanism which cuts out the
said primary coil of the transformer at the moment when the secondary circuit is
broken.
To store up the energy as above mentioned we make use either of the fact that
alternating current electro-magnets will, as is well known, repel closed rings which
being attached to lever arms will be impelled upwards till the levers or rings are
caught and held by catches controlled by the relays above described, or we adopt
the principle of permitting a solenoid or coil to be sucked into or expelled from
another solenoid or system of solenoids or coils arranged so as to come into circuit
successively, or we employ the mutual attraction and repulsion of electro magnets
or, finally, we may use electro motors to wind up weights to be liberated at the
moments above specified by the relays or for compressing gases or springs.
In order that our intention may be the more perfectly understood we refer to the
accompanying drawings in which :-
Fig. 1. represents a side view and partial section of that form of our apparatus in
which energy is stored up by causing a moveable solenoid or coil to be sucked into
a series of coils or solenoids arranged to come into circuit and be energised by the
electric current in succession.
Fig. 2 is an end view and partial section of a portion of the same apparatus.
Fig. 3 is a horizontal section through the switch bar B, the cross piece or switch
proper S and the axle o.
Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the switch bar B.
Fig. 5 a horizontal section through nz of Fig. 2.
Fig.
a horizontal section through ny of Fig. 2.
Fig. 7 represents a second form of the apparatus in which the series of coils are
arranged so as to form an arc of a circle the moveable coil passing over them and
enclosing them in succession, while the spring shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 is dispensed
with the tendency of the lever to which the coil is attached to fall back by its own
weight into the position shewn in the drawing, being relied upon to perform the
operation allotted in Figs. 1 and 2 to the spiral spring.
Fig. 8 is a view of the same from above.
Fig. 9 is a detailed view from above of the lever carrying the moveable coil P.
Fig. 10 is a side view of the plunger which moves inside this lever.
Fig. 11 shews a form of the apparatus in which a closed coil which we have
found to give better results than a ring is repelled by an alternating current electro-
magnet or as shewn in the drawing by an open magnetic circuit transformer which
is to all intents and purposes the same thing.
Fig. 12 is a modification of the form of apparatus shewn in Figs. 1 and 2 and is
designed to economize space by the omission of the switch-bar B.
Fig. 13 is a horizontal section through cy, of Fig. 12.
Fig. 14 is a schematic representation of the connections of the different parts of
the apparatus with one another and with the transformer and the house circuit.
The apparatus shewn in Figs. 1-6 consists essentially of an upright frame or
stand H preferably of gun metal securely attached to a foundation-plate of slate or
other insulating material to which the other parts shewn are affixed in like manner.
In the centre of this frame the series of coils R, R1, R2, &c. of insulated copper
wire are clamped in position one above the other. These coils are separated from
one another by thin layers of fibre or other insulating material, and each encloses
a hollow core of thin iron wires to increase the magnetic effect. The whole series
is traversed from end to end by a thin brass tube-P is a moveable coil of slightly

page_text: 8
greater length than each of the above described hollow coils and is wound solid and
either encloses a core or is surrounded by a shell of iron wires. This coil exactly
fills the brass tube but is of such size as to be capable of travelling freely from end
to end of it. It is rigidly connected by means of a metal rod with the piston p,
which moves in a square space arranged between the standards and shewn in section
at Fig. 6. This piston p is provided with metal springs, analogous to those of an
ordinary steam piston, which press upon the sides of the space in which it travels
upon one side of which a long metal strip g, and on the other short metal strips
insulated from the frame H and from one another forming a commutator are
arranged each section of which is electrically connected with one end of each of the
hollow coils R. R' &c. as shewn. The opposite ends of the travelling coil P are
attached to a double flexible insulated conductor similar to those used in connection
with moveable incandescent lamps and passing over pulleys and sufficiently slack to
permit the free passage of the coil P to the top of the tube, the two conductors
branch at w and so connect the opposite ends of the moveable coil P with the
terminal and the switch S respectively. The lower part of the coil P is attached
by a spiral spring to the switch bar B shewn in Figs. 1 & 2 in its lowest position
riz. that in which it makes contact between the high tension terminals TT and
also closes the switches & s² the latter making the secondary or house circuit by
connecting together the terminals t' & t as shewn by dotted lines in Figs. 1 & 14
and the former putting the series of coils R. R' R2 &c. and the coil P (which is in
series with them) in parallel with the lamps in the secondary circuit as will be seen
by reference to the dotted lines and connections in Fig. 14. The switch bar B is
built up of fibre or other rigid insulating material and is secured to the spindle a.
which turns in bearings in the standard F. It carries at its end the high tension
switch piece S composed of 3 metal rods bolted together at the end, the lower
one which is preferably of phosphor bronze carrying the current when reposing
in the V-shaped terminals T T as shewn in Figs. 1 & 3. The 3 rods are for
additional safety enclosed in a caoutchone or fibre tube cut away at the ends
to enable the lower one to make proper contact with T T and the attachment
of this tube is rendered additionally secure by the fibre tie pieces ff. The
bar B also carries metallic contact pieces n n' & n² and i all insulated from
Figs. 13 & 4 one another and from S for making or closing the switches s s¹
& 2 and making electric contact with the armature of the small electro-magnet m'.
Upon the stand I are arranged two relay mechanisms and 1 of which r
resembles an ordinary galvanometer which when energized by a weak current
causes the needle suspended between its coils to be deflected and make electrical
contact at o with the wire or small conductor shewn in Fig. 1 as projecting
between them consists of a few turns of short insulated wire and forms part
of the house circuit sucking in a small core of iron wires against the action of
a spring as long as the current passes through it.
This appliance may however be replaced by one in which a soft iron needle
is attracted by a coil or magnet and makes the required contact on regaining
its normal position or by some equivalent device. m and m¹ are two small electro
magnets energized by the dry cell D. whenever a current passes through either
of the relay mechanisms or r¹.
While the armature of m when unattracted serves as a catch or detent to retain
the piston p and consequently the coil P at their highest positions while that of m
performs the function of keeping the lever or switch bar B securely in the position
shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Even when the spiral spring 2 is stretched or tends to
raise it.
The action of the apparatus is as follows.
Before turning on any of the lamps the primary coil of the transformer u is dis-
connected with the high tension mains while the lever or switch bar B the travelling
coil P and the piston p are all respectively at their highest positions p being there
retained by the armature of the electro magnet m (see Fig. 14). It will be seen
that in this position the switches S. s and s² are open while the switch s¹ is closed.

page_text: 2"
If now the house circuit be closed by turning on any one of the lamp switches s³¹ &c.
the circuit of the dry cell D is completed from the positive pole through the relay
or galvanometer coil the conductor the lamps or s and the conductors Land
back to the negative pole of the dry cell through the switch sl. The passage of
the current from the dry cell through and through when one lamp (which is
then in series with r) only is on though too weak to produce much mechanical
action is amply sufficient to deflect the needle and cause it to make contact with
the point o.
The moment this takes place it will be seen from the connections
Fig. 14 that the dry cell is short circuited through the electro magnet m which it
energizes sufficiently to attract its armature whereupon the piston p is released and
it together with the travelling coil P the spiral spring Q and the switch bar B
descend (in virtue of their weight and the moment they possess about the axle a)
into the position in which they are shown in Fig. 1 connecting the terminals T
& T¹ (and so putting the primary coil of the transformer in connection with the
high tension mains) openings the switch s' and closing the switches s and s².
Now however it will be seen by consulting Fig. 14 that the series of
coils R, R R2 &c. together with the travelling coil P (in series with them) are
connected in parallel with the lamps in the house circuit through the switch s and
the conductors L and L' forming part of which latter is the fuse Z. The current
consequently energizes the travelling coil and then passes through the conductors
or leads through the insulated contact piece g and the piston p into the lowest
section of the commutator and thence into the lowest of the series of coils viz. R'
and so back to the transformer. The coil P is consequently raised the length of
coil R' and the piston p rising pari passu with it severs the electrical connection
between R and the circuit by leaving the lowest section of the commutator and
establishes connection with coil Re the result being that P is sucked up by R and
so with the other coils until P reaches its highest position (the whole action taking
place with great rapidity) when p is held by the armature of the electro magnet m
which being insulated from 9 as shewn in Fig. 14 severs connection between the
coils R R &c. the coil P and the house circuit while the spring Q is stretched to
its fullest extent. This exercises an upward pull upon the switch bar B which
would raise it into its original position but for the fact that the armature of the
electro magnet m¹ has taken up a position under the metallic projection i and so
prevents the switch bar yielding to the action of the spiral spring. In this
condition the apparatus presents a certain analogy to a rifle or other fire-arm at full
cock, the armature of m³ corresponding to the trigger and it will be seen that the
result has been to store up a certain amount of energy from the current of the
house circuit in the spiral spring Q.
This state of things continues as long as current is flowing in the coils of
the relay mechanisms that is to say as long as the secondary or house circuit is
closed for the result is that the core is sucked into the coil and the contacts c and c¹
are kept apart. When however all the lights are turned out i.e. the secondary
circuit broken the current ceases to flow in the core rises in obedience to the
action of its spring and c and c¹ come into contact short circuiting the dry cell D
through the flexible conductor C (Figs. 1 and 14) the metallic projection i and by
way of its armature through the electro magnet m' which then attracts the said
armature releasing the energy stored up in the spiral spring Q by permitting the
switch bar B to yield to its action which it does, springing into its original position
as shown in Fig. 14 breaking the connection between T and T' and opening the
switches s and 2. Here however it still possesses potential energy due to its
raised position and derived from or representing a portion of the secondary
current and that energy is ready to be liberated and reestablish connection between
the transformer and the mains as above described whenever m is energized i.e. : a
light turned on when the same series of operations is automatically repeated.
Of the switches attached to the switch bar B it will be seen that is not
absolutely essential as the series of coils R R¹ &c. and P are cut out when p

page_text: reaches its highest point and 12 and 2 (Fig. 14) might consequently always be left
in connection with the transformer secondary circuit but it is introduced to enable
by its adjustment the primary circuit to be closed either before or after any part
of the secondary is closed. The switch s² makes and breaks the house circuit
i.e. connects it with the secondary terminals of the transformer and serves as will
be seen from the connections (Fig. 14) when open to prevent the dry cell from
running down through the secondary coil of the transformer. The function of s'is
to prevent the dry cell discharging in the same way when the secondary circuit is
closed through tti.e. when the lever or switch bar B is in its lowest position (see
connections Fig. 14). It must further be pointed out that the moveable coil P may
at the cost of a greater or less amount of efficiency be replaced by an iron core
preferably laminated.
In Figures 7 and 8 is shewn a variation of the apparatus in which the
coils R R R &c. are arranged on a segment of a circle instead of vertically one
above the other as in Figures 1 and 2. The fixed coils are not in this case hollow
but the moveable coil P on the other hand is formed with an aperture of sufficient
size to permit of its passing outside and successively enclosing the coils R R' &c.
Both the moveable coil and the fixed coils are provided as in Figures 1 and 2 with
partial cores (which may be omitted) of laminated iron or iron wire. The
coils R R &c. are all connected in parallel on one side as shown while their
opposite ends are connected to the sections of the circular commutator k. Insulated
from this but rigidly attached to it is the metal disc k. The lever A carrying the
moveable coil P is forked or stirruped at the end furthest from P and one side of
the fork carries the two brushes and which make sliding contact with k and k¹
while both sides end in the two rings h h which turn freely on the spindle a which
is in this case fixed and has the commutator k keyed to it. It is surrounded by a
coil of insulated wire and is made hollow of soft iron and contains a plunger
hinged at the end working against a spiral spring at the end near P (see Figs. 9
and 10). The switch bar B which also turns on the spindle a projects beyond a
and when the coil P is at its lowest position as shown in Fig. 7 is held in the position
there shown by the projecting end of the plunger which fills the centre of the
lever A. The whole apparatus is connected in circuit exactly as that shown
in Figs. 1 and 2 vizt. to the conductors L and L' of Fig. 14. The coil m
surrounding the lever A. corresponds to the electro magnet m of Fig. 1 and is
consequently energized through the relay r while the electro-magnet m' shown at
the top of the apparatus is connected with relay r
The action of this form of the apparatus is as follows:-
Before any lights are turned on the position is that shown in Fig. 7. When a light
is turned on the dry cell is short circuited through the coil on the lever A by way
of the fixed contact v and by the means of the relay mechanism exactly as in the
case of Fig. 1. This causes the plunger inside A to be sucked in against the
action of its spring and so liberates the lever or switch bar B which then falls
closing the switches (the primary switch) and 2 (the secondary or house switch).
The coils then become energized from the secondary circuit the current entering k¹
by the conductor L, passes to the brush thence round the coil P and back to the
brush both of which travel with the lever A and so throws into circuit that one
of the fixed coils immediately in front of P cutting out at the same time the coil
below it. The coil P and the lever A are consequently raised with great rapidity
and in a manner exactly analogous to what occurs in the case of the apparatus
shown at Figs. 1-6 until it arrives in the nearly vertical position shown by dotted
lines in Fig. 7 where it is caught by the armature of the electro magnet m¹. On
breaking the house circuit m is energized from the dry cell through the intermediary
of the relay mechanism r¹ exactly as in the case of Fig. 1 and its armature being
attracted the level A and with it the coil P fall by reason of their weight back to
their original position. During their fall the end of the plunger contained in the
lever A comes into contact with the projecting end of the switch bar B and knocks

page_text: it up into the position shown in Fig. 7. The said plunger is hinged to enable the
lever A to rise when the switch bar B is in its lowest position. The brush & when
the coil P is at its highest point comes into a position in which it rests upon an
insulated portion of a commutator and hence severs the connection between the
apparatus and the secondary circuit while a simple device such as making the
contact with the dry cell through the lever A and the armature of the electro
magnet m¹ prevents the dry cell running down through the transformer while the
house circuit is closed.
"
Fig. 11 shows a form of our apparatus in which the repulsion exerted by an
alternating current electro magnet or an open magnetic circuit transformer # upon
a closed coil (which we have found more efficient than a ring) is utilized to effect
the movements required. The arrangement and construction of the lever A and
switch bar B are practically identical with those shown in Figs. 7 and 9. But the
coil P must not contain any iron and the ironwork in the lever A should preferably
cease at some distance from P. The ends of the coil are connected to the brushes />
and which run upon the circular metal strip r into the end of which is let a piece
of insulating material shown by a thick black line. The coil on A is connected
through the fixed contact with the dry cell and relay as in the case of Fig. 7
which is consequently energized when a light is turned on and sucking in the
plunger permits the switch bar to establish contact between T and T¹ and so throw
in the primary coil of the transformer. The house switch s² and battery switch s
are also made and broken by B as in the other cases though not shown in Fig. 11.
Thereupon P is repelled into the position shewn by dotted lines where one of the
brushes coming on to the insulated material breaks the circuit of the coil P and
where it is caught by the armature of an electro magnet (not shewn) energized
like m¹ of Fig. 7 when the lights are all turned off whereupon the lever A and the
coil P fall down and knock the switch bar B up into the position in which it is
shewn. When necessary the lever A may be counterbalanced so that only the
weight of P has to be overcome by the repulsion.
Of course in this and the other cases we do not bind ourselves to the use of
electro magnets (m and m³) but coils and plungers or equivalent appliances may be
used instead and they or the electro magnets may be connected directly in circuit
so as themselves to become relays and to enable the coils and to be dispensed
with but as such an arrangement is less certain in its action we prefer that described
above. The moveable coil P except in Fig. 11 may also be replaced by laminated
iron cores or shells.
On the other hand should it be desired to increase the efficiency of the apparatus
we replace coils R. R' R' &c. in Figs. 1 and 2, 7 and 8 and 12 by laminated double
pole or horse shoe electro magnets arranged horizontally and like the coils R, R' &c.
one above the other and connected in regard to the commutator and the secondary
circuit in exactly the same ways. The coil P then passes successively between
their poles and is so wound as always to present a N. pole to a S. pole of each of
the magnets or vice versa i.e. it is wound in plane at right angles to that in which it is
shown in the drawings. It will be seen that if this alteration be made in the form
of apparatus shown at Figs. 7 and 8 it will not be necessary to make the coil P
hollow as it will be able to pass successively between the poles of the electro
magnets. We may finally also employ a simple long fixed coil or solenoid acting
on a long moveable coil or solenoid or an iron core (preferably laminated) to
produce the same result as are above attained by the employment of a series of coils.
In Fig. 12 is shewn a variety of our apparatus designed to get rid of the switch
bar B thus economizing the space required for its reception and enabling it to be
employed in those transformer houses where but a small amount of room is available.
It is in the main namely in the arrangement and interaction of coils, plungers,
relays &c. identical with Fig. 1. It is only the lower part of the mechanism that
differs. This consists of the high tension switch piece S the top of which is
preferably covered with insulating material and is bolted by a rod of glass vulcanite

page_text: or other insulator to a metal cross piece xy (shown in horizontal section at Fig. 13)
the two together forming a frame capable of travelling up and down along the
vertical glass rods jj. In the figure it establishes connection between T and T¹
i.e. puts the high tension coil of the transformer in circuit and is held down by the
action of the two lateral plungers at 22. These plungers are in metallic connection
with t¹ (as seen from Fig. 12) the terminals of the house switch (insulated as
shown from one another and from s' ') the house current consequently flowing
through s² ² and the metal cross piece x. y. as long as the position shewn in the
drawing is preserved. When however the last light is turned off the two plungers
are attracted upwards against the action of their springs by the current from the
dry cell whereupon the cross piece x. y. and the switch piece S rise in obedence to
the action of the spring Q (which is then in its stretched condition) severing the trans-
former from the mains breaking the house switch s²² and making contact between s¹
and which forms the battery switch and performs the same function as that
alloted to the switch s in the other forms of the apparatus. The coils R R¹ &c.
and P are shown as supplied with current not as in the other cases from the house
circuit but from a second secundary circuit formed by winding a number of turns
of insulated wire (connected with the aparatus through the fuse Z) round the
transformer U. This arrangement enables a current of any desired voltage to be
obtained for feeding the coils and renders them quite independent of the house
circuit but of course it may be adopted where preferred with any of the other forms
of our apparatus when used in connection with a suitable transformer, excepting of
course, the form shewn in Fig. 11.
We may also make use of any other or ordinary form of motor wound so as to be
self starting with an alternating current and geared so as to stretch the spring Q
after making a few revolutions or to wind up a weight or bolts or even to compress
gases in a confined space provided only that the energy so stored up be liberated by
the relay mechanisms and caused to actuate the switch whenever the secondary
circuit is made or broken in the same way as in the case of the forms of our
apparatus above described and provided that the said motor be connected with the
circuit similarly to the coils R. R' R² &c. and P.
We have described the above forms of our apparatus as being actuated by and
storing up energy from a secondary circuit only but we may without altering the
nature of our invention though with less practical advantage store up the said
energy by means of the same appliances from the primary circuit of the transformer
or from the high tension mains (through a resistance) or from a separate battery
which may then also replace the dry cell for performing the operations above
assigned thereto provided that the other actions of liberating the stored up energy
and actuating the switch take place as described above.
We may also employ any of the forms of our apparatus for making and breaking
a resistance switch instead of a simple make and break switch, that is to say we
arrange the primary switch S so as in its descent to establish connection between
the primary circuit of the transformer and the mains, firstly through a high
resistance (inductive or other) then through a lesser or a number of lesser
resistances and finally to effect full and complete connection as shewn in the
drawings, while the reverse order of events takes place on breaking the secondary
circuit.
Our invention may also be carried into effect by connecting the dry cell, or
other source of electric current employed to switches adjacent to or forming part
of the lamp switches instead of connecting it in the house circuit as described
above. One of these switches must then be turned on before turning on a light,
when the current from the cell actuates the freeing appliance which throws in the
main switch S while when the last light is turned out another switch or push is
used to cause the dry cell current to flow through the appliance which liberates
the switch S and causes it to break contact. In this case the switches designated
in the drawings by s' and s² become superfluous.

page_text: We are aware that switches are in existence for severing the connection
between the primary coil of transformers and the mains when the lights in the
secondary circuit are turned out, without however reestablishing that connection
when the secondary circuit is again closed (i.e. a light turned on) and likewise
that there exist arrangements by which the current from a small transformer (the
permanently in circuit) is employed when the load upon it rises to a certain point
to switch in a larger transformer but our invention differs from these both by
reason of its greater utility since it acts to switch in the transformer when even a
single light is turned on and also its greater economy as when the lights are
turned off it severs connection with the mains completely and avoids the loss due
to leaving a small transformer in circuit. Our invention possesses the same
advantage in comparison with these appliances which merely insert or cut out a
resistance between the transformer and the mains and which consequently permit
a certain amount of current to be perpetually flowing through the primary coil and
is further distinguished from them by the superior mechanical efficiency which our
method of storing up energy enables us to obtain; for in these said appliances
(Wright's apparatus for example) if any serious economy is to be effected the
resistance introduced between transformer and mains must be very high and the
current permitted permanently to flow as likewise that obtained from a dry cell or
similar battery in series with an incandescent lamp correspondingly small' and it
is obvious that such a feeble current could not be relied on to produce the required
mechanical effects which to insure satisfactory practical working are considerable
with the certainty obtainable by means of our apparatus.
We are likewise, of course, aware that the interaction of many of the parts
which we employ such as that of a solenoid (or series of solenoids) upon one or
more solenoids or cores, as also the action of relay mechanisms, have been
frequently adopted for the purpose of obtaining mechanical effects from an electric
current; but what we believe to constitute the novel elements of our invention
and what we claim is :-
1. The method of storing up energy derived from an electric current by means
of the known action of the series of solenoids, coils or electro-magnets, or of a
single solenoid upon a moveable solenoid or coil, or upon an iron core in the various
ways set forth, and of subsequently employing it for imparting movements to a
switch as described.
2. The method of storing up energy derived from an electric current by utilizing
the repulsion exercised by an alternating current electro-magnet or transformer
upon a closed coil or ring, the energy so stored up being employed for the
purposes and in the manner described.
3. The method of storing up energy from an electric current for the purpose
described by allowing such current to actuate a motor for raising a weight or
compressing or stretching a spring or similar appliance, the said motor occupying
a position relative to the circuit analogous to that occupied by the solenoids, coils
or magnets mentioned in Claim 1.
4. The arrangement of a dry cell or other source of electricity in connection
with the house or secondary circuit of a transformer in such a manner that when
the said secondary circuit is closed (e.g. by switching on a light) the current from
the dry cell (or other source of electricity) energizes a relay or electric freeing
appliance which thereupon liberates a part of the mechanism (containing a portion
of the stored up energy) which in turn at once actuates the switch to establish
full and complete connection between the primary circuit of the transformer and
the high tension mains while when the secondary circuit is broken (e.g. by turning
out all the lights) the same dry cell (or other source of electricity) energizes a
second relay which liberates another part of the mechanism (containing the
remainder of the energy stored up) which immediately actuates the switch to
interrupt the full and complete connection between the primary circuit of the
transformer and the high-tension mains.

page_text: 5. The apparatus in its different forms as shown and described.
Dated this 28th day of February 1893.
RICHARD NORMAN LUCAS.
ARTHUR JAMES MAYNE.
ANTHONY G. NEW.