Year: 1886

page_text: I ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS of 70 Chancery Lane, in the Parish of St. Andrews,
Holborn, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent do hereby declare the nature of
this invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to Electric Arc Lamps and more particularly to that class of
lamps in which the separation of the carbon electrodes to form the are and the feed of
the carbons to regulate the are, are accomplished by means of electro magnets
operating in connection with suitable clutch mechanism.
The objects of my invention are to improve and simplify the construction of such
lamps, and more especially to render their operation more steady; to produce a
practical balance of the mechanism when the lamp is operating; to dispense with dash
pots, clock work, gearing, or other similar devices generally used; to provide a simple
and effective "cut-out"; to provide a setting device whereby the lamp may be more
surely, speedily and easily lighted; to provide a simple and effective means for
holding the carbons in position, and generally to produce an extremely sensitive
mechanism for operating the lamp that will produce a steady and uniform light.
I accomplish these objects by the devices hereinafter described, and my invention
consists in the construction and various combination of such devices or their equivalents.
for the purposes and in the manner substantially as hereinafter stated.
In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification :-
Fig. 1, is a side elevation of a lamp embodying my improvements.
Fig. 2, is a similar view of the other side of the lamp partially in section.
Fig. 3, is an enlarged view of a portion of the operating mechanism, and
Fig. 4, is an end view thereof, and of other details.
The frame A, of the lamp may be of any proper and desirable form and construction,
and the conductors + and are connected therewith in any ordinary manner, being
-

page_text: shown in connection with the hooks or hangers, a, for supporting the lamp so that
connection is made with terminals of the circuit by simply hanging the lamp upon
suitable connections attached thereto.
Mounted upon the frame A, and connected in the circuit are the main and shunt
magnets. B, C, of any desired shape, but preferably in the form of horseshoe magnets
with the poles extending upward.
Extending upward from the frame between the magnets is an arch, frame or bridge
piece D, which forms a guide for the upper carbon rod or support E, and also forms
a support to which the armature lever F, is pivotally attached, the said lever being
provided with an opening through which the carbon holder E, can freely pass. The
lever F, is provided with suitable projections f,f¹, at each end, which form armatures
for the main and shunt magnets, and these projections or extensions may he of any
form or arrangement to co-operate with their magnets.
A clutch mechanism, shown as the well known ring clutch G, surrounds the
carbon holder E, and is connected to the armature lever as by means of a link 9, and
an adjustable stop or screw H, regulates the movement of the clutch lever in a well
known way.
It is well known that one of the chief requisites of a lamp of this character is to
have the movement of the clutch and carbon holder regular and steady and at the
same time sensitive to very slight changes in the resistance of the arc and the strength
of the current flowing through the main line and shunt magnets, and while some
attempts have been made to accomplish this result it has been common to employ dash
pots, clockwork, or other mechanism or appliances to prevent too rapid and frequent
changes in the feeding apparatus. These applicances are more or less objectionable
and expensive and I have dispensed with the use of any and all of them, and have
produced a practical balance in the armature lever, controlling the clutch, when the
lamp is in operation and from this it follows that very slight changes in resistance or
strength of current will vary the condition of the feed mechanism, and that to, without
the objectionable jumps or flickering often found in this class of lamps.
To produce this balance of the armature it is so arranged in connection with the
main and shunt magnets that when the proper amount of current is flowing the
attraction of the main line magnet B, for the armature f, shall be exactly balanced by
opposing forces operating upon the other limb of the armature lever, and these forces
are the attraction of the shunt magnet C, for its armature f¹, which should be very
slight to obtain the best results from the current in the line, the weight of the clutch G,
and the carbon holder E, sustained thereby, and to these I have added a spring I,
which is provided with means for adjustment, as the thumb nut i. With these devices
and this arrangement it will be seen that the clutch can be maintained in its proper
position to hold the carbon carrier and establish the arc and be practically balanced
so that a very slight change in the condition of the arc will cause the clutch to release
its grip slightly upon the carbon holder and allow it to feed the carbons, and on the
other hand a very slight decrease of the resistance will cause the carbon to be raised.
I have found this simple arrangement to be very delicate and effective, the forces in
the operative condition of the lamp forming a practical balance.
In case of any practical derangement of the lamp or other disturbance it is desirable
to have some means of quickly and effectually short circuiting the lamp and cutting
it out of the main line circuit, and I have arranged upon the shunt magnet C,
two plates K. L. properly connected with the main line and separated from each
other so that no current can pass. The adjacent ends of these plates K, L, are
preferably curved as shown in Fig. 3. I attach to the armature f¹, some sort of
à device for connecting these plates or terminals when through any reason the
forces opposed to the main line magnet get abnormally strong, and I have shown
a projecting pin M, secured to the armature and carrying a sleeve N, insulated
therefrom. In order to give a sure and perfect bearing between this sleeve and
the terminals I arrange the same loosely on the pin and form the insulating
material of such a shape, as shown in Fig. 4, as to allow the sleeve to fit the
terminals accurately when the cut-out is operative. It is evident that instead of

page_text: the exact construction shown the projecting pin can be insulated from the armature
lever, or other arrangements may be made without departing from my invention, one
of the essential features of which is that the connecting part or sleeve shall have
free play upon its support to produce good contact or bearing within the cut-out
terminals.
One of the most serious objections to automatic cut-outs is found in practice to
be due to the fact that they do not always "pick up" or break contact when the
lamp is started. If all the lamps are on the "cut-out," on starting the generating
machine there is a practical short circuit around all the lamps and there are
difficulties in getting the machine and lamps into operation. To overcome this
objection I provide means whereby the lamp may be set on open circuit as when
it is trimmed, and as soon as it is once started the setting device is automatically
put out of operative condition, and leaves the lamp ready to operate or be "cut
out" if any abnormal condition occurs.
This setting mechanism may be variously constructed, that shown being very
simple and effective, and consisting of a pivot plate O, having a notch or recess P,
formed in one side and adapted to engage a pin p, on the armature lever.
A handle or rod o, may be attached to said catch and extend down to a convenient
position to be operated by the attendant and when the lamp is set the arrangement,
of the parts is such that the "cut-out" is out of operative position while the carbons
are in proper position to allow the passage of the current to establish the arc, and as
soon as this occurs the armature lever is raised and the catch drops down into the
position shown in Fig. 4, Fig. 1, showing it in operative position.
I have shown a resistance coil R, located in the cut-out circuit, which may be used
or not to aid in starting the lamp, but I prefer to dispense with it in using my
arrangement above described.
It is often difficult to secure the carbons properly in the holders owing to their
varying size and it is desirable to have the clamp embrace and bear upon all parts of
the carbon evenly in the clamp, and to accomplish this I have formed the clamp S, as
shown in the drawing, making it of two parts, one of which is rigidly secured to the
carbon holder and the other is pivotally supported thereon, the pivot openings, being
elongated so as to allow the screw T, to confine the carbon between the jaws and still
maintain them parallel under all conditions.
Having thus described my improvements, their operation when embodied in a lamp
will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, and while they are of such a
nature that they can be embodied in a single lamp, they may also be modified in form,
and arrangement, and be used, separately or in combination with other devices
without departing from my invention.
Dated this 1st day of November 1886.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Lamps.
I ROBERT EDWARD PHILLIPS, of 70 Chancery Lane, in the Parish of St. Andrews,
Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, (which invention has been
communicated to me from abroad by Warren S. Hill, of Boston, Mass., in the United
States of America), 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 :-
My invention relates to Electric Arc Lamps and more particularly to that class of
lamps in which the separation of the carbon electrodes to form the arc, and the feed
of the carbons to regulate the arc, are accomplished by means of electro magnets
operating in connection with suitable clutch mechanism.
The objects of my invention are to improve and simplify the construction of such
lamps, and more especially to render their operation more steady; to produce a
practical balance of the mechanism when the lamp is operating; to dispense with
dash pots, clock work, gearing, or other similar devices generally used; to provide a
simple and effective "cut-out ; to provide a setting device whereby the lamp may
be more surely, speedily, and easily lighted; to provide a simple and effective means
for holding the carbons in position, and generally to produce an extremely sensitive
mechanism for operating the lamp that will produce a steady and uniform light.
I accomplish these objects by the devices hereinafter described, and my invention
consists in the construction and various combinations of such devices, or their equiva-
lents, for the purposes and in the manner substantially as hereinafter stated.
In order that my invention may be fully understood I will more particularly
describe it making reference to the drawings which accompany my Provisional
Specification in which :-
Fig. 1. is a side elevation of a lamp embodying my improvements.
Fig. 2. is a similar view of the other side of the lamp partially in section.
Fig. 3. is an enlarged view of a portion of the operating mechanism, and
Fig. 4. is an end view thereof, and of other details.
―
The frame A. of the lamp may be of any proper and desirable form and construc-
tion, and the conductors + and are connected therewith in any ordinary manner,
being shown in connection with the hooks or hangers a, for supporting the lamp, so
that connection is made with terminals of the circuit by simply hanging the lamp
upon suitable connections, attached thereto.
Mounted upon the frame A, and connected in the circuit are the main and shunt
magnets. B. C. of any desired shape, but preferably in the form of horseshoe magnets
with the poles extending upward.
Extending upward from the frame between the magnets is an arch, frame, or
bridge piece D. which forms a guide for the upper carbon rod or support E. and also
forms a support to which the armature lever F. is pivotally attached, the said lever
being provided with an opening through which the carbon holder E, can freely pass.

page_text: The lever F. is provided with suitable projections f. f¹ at each end, which form
armatures for the main and shunt magnets, and these projections or extensions may
be of any form or arrangement to co-operate with their magnets.
A clutch mechanism, shown as the well known ring clutch G. surrounds the carbon
holder E, and is connected to the armature lever as by means of a link 9. and an
adjustable stop or screw H. regulates the movement of the clutch lever in a well
known way.
It is well known that one of the chief requisites of a lamp of this character is to
have the movement of the clutch and carbon holder regular and steady and at the
same time sensitive to very slight changes in the resistance of the arc and the strength
of the current flowing through the main line and shunt magnets, and while some
attempts have been made to accomplish this result it has been common to employ
dash pots, clockwork, or other mechanism or appliances to prevent too rapid and
frequent changes in the feeding apparatus. These appliances are more or less
objectionable and expensive and I have dispensed with the use of any and all of them,
and have produced a practical balance in the armature lever, controlling the clutch,
when the lamp is in operation and from this it follows that very slight changes in
resistance or strength of current will vary the condition of the feed mechanism, and
that to, without the objectionable jumps or flickering often found in this class of
lamps.
To produce this balance of the armature it is so arranged in connection with the
main and shunt magnets, that when the proper amount of current is flowing the
attraction of the main line magnet B. for the armature f. shall be exactly balanced by
opposing forces operating upon the other limb of the armature lever, and these forces
are the attraction of the shunt magnet C. for its armature f' which should be very
slight to obtain the best results from the current in the line, the weight of the clutch G.
and the carbon holder E. sustained thereby, and to these I have added a spring I.
which is provided with means for adjustment, as the thumb nut i. With these devices
and this arrangement it will be seen that the clutch can be maintained in its proper
position to hold the carbon carrier, and establish the are, and be practically balanced
so that a very slight change in the condition of the arc will cause the clutch to release
its grip slightly upon the carbon holder, and allow it to feed the carbons, and on the
other hand a very slight decrease of the resistance will cause the carbon to be raised.
I have found this simple arrangement to be very delicate and effective, the forces in
the operative condition of the lamp forming a practical balance.
In case of any practical derangement of the lamp or other disturbance, it is desirable
to have some means of quickly and effectually short circuiting the lamp and cutting it
out of the main line circuit, and I have arranged upon the shunt magnet C. two
plates K. L. properly connected with the main line and separated from each other so
that no current can pass. The adjacent ends of these plates K. L. are preferably
curved as shown in Fig. 3. I attach to the armature f¹ some sort of a device for
connecting these plates or terminals when through any reason the forces opposed to
the main line magnet get abnormally strong, and I have shown a projecting pin M.
secured to the armature and carrying a sleeve N. insulated therefrom. In order to
give a sure and perfect bearing between this sleeve and the terminals, I arrange the
same loosely on the pin and form the insulating material of such a shape, as shown in
Fig. 4. as to allow the sleeve to fit the terminals accurately when the "cut-out" is
operative. It is evident that instead of the exact construction shown, the projecting
pin can be insulated from the armature lever, or other arrangements may be made
without departing from my invention, one of the essential features of which is that the
connecting part or sleeve shall have free play upon its support to produce good
contact or bearing within the "cut-out" terminals.
One of the most serious objections to automatic "cut-outs" is found in practice to
be due to the fact that they do not always "pick up" or break contact when the lamp
is started. If all the lamps are on the "cut-out," on starting the generating machine,
there is a practical short circuit around all the lamps, and there are difficulties in
getting the machine and lamps into operation. To overcome this objection I provide

page_text: means whereby the lamp may be set on open circuit as when it is trimmed, and as
soon as it is once started the setting device is automatically put out of operative
condition; and leaves the lamp ready to operate or be cut out if any abnormal
condition occurs.
This setting mechanism may be variously constructed, that shown being very simple
and effective, and consisting of a pivot plate O. having a notch or recess P. formed in
one side and adapted to engage a pin p. on the armature lever. A handle or rod o.
may be attached to said catch and extended down to a convenient position to be
operated by the attendant, and when the lamp is set the arrangement, of the parts is
such that the "cut-out" is out of operative position while the carbons are in proper
position to allow the passage of the current to establish the are, and as soon as this
occurs the armature lever is raised and the catch drops down into the position shown
in Fig. 4. Fig. 1. showing it in operative position.
I have shown a resistance coil R. located in the cut-out circuit, which may be used
or not to aid in starting the lamp, but I prefer to dispense with it in using my
arrangement above described.
It is often difficult to secure the carbons properly in the holders owing to their
varying size, and it is desirable to have the clamp embrace and bear upon all parts of
the carbon evenly in the clamp, and to accomplish this I have formed the clamp S. as
shown in the drawing, making it of two parts, one of which is rigidly secured to the
carbon holder and the other is pivotally supported thereon, the pivot opening s. being
elongated so as to allow the screw T. to confine the carbon between the jaws and still
maintain them parallel under all conditions.
Having thus described my improvements, their operation when embodied in a lamp
will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art, and it will be obvious that while
they are of such a nature that they can be embodied in a single lamp; they may also
be modified in form, and arrangement, and be used, separately, or in combination with
other devices, without departing from my invention.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention, and
in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
1st. In an electric arc lamp, the combination with the main and shunt magnets and
cut-out terminals, of an armature lever pivotted between the said magnets, supporting
the clutch and carrying a connecting piece for the cut out, and an adjustable device
connected to said armature, whereby a practical balance of forces is obtained upon the
armature, when the lamp is in operative condition, and when the balance is disturbed
the "cut-out" is operated, substantially as described.
2nd. In an electric are lamp, the combination with the main and shunt magnets and
the cut-out terminals, of a pivotted lever forming or carrying armatures for said
magnets, and a connecting piece for the cut-out, the clutch connected to said
armature, and an adjustable spring acting in conjunction with the weight of the
clutch, substantially as described.
3rd. In an electric arc lamp, the combination with the main and shunt magnets, of
an armature lever, "cut-out terminals arranged upon the shunt magnets, and a
connecting piece for the "cut-out" terminals carried by said armature lever, substan-
tially as described.
4th. The combination with the "cut-out" terminals, of a connecting sleeve insulated
from its support and loosely connected therewith whereby a good bearing is obtained
between the terminals, and the sleeve substantially as described.
"
5th. The combination with the main and shunt magnets and armature lever, of
" cut-out terminals arranged upon the shunt magnets and a connecting device
attached to the end of the lever and adapted to engage the terminals, substantially as
described.
6th. The combination with the main and shunt magnets and armature lever, of
"cut-out" terminals arranged upon the the shunt magnets, a connecting device
attached to the end of the lever, and a spring to operate said lever, substantially as
described.

page_text: 7th. In an electric arc lamp, the combination with the "cut-out" devices, of a
catch to hold said devices out of operative position substantially as described.
8th. In an electric arc lamp the combination with the magnets and armature lever,
of the "cut-out" terminals, and connector, and a catch to hold said connector away
from said "cut-out" terminals, substantially as described.
.
9th. In an electric arc lamp, a carbon holder having a clamp consisting of a rigid
part, and a movable part having parallel bearing surfaces, the movable part being
provided with an elongated pivot slot and a rigid arm projecting over the movable
part and carrying a clamp screw, whereby the carbon may be secured between the
parallel bearing surfaces of the clamp substantially as described.
10000
VOID
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.
ROBT. ED. PHILLIPS, M.I.M.E.,
Royal Courts Chambers,
70, 71 & 72, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent.