AN IMPROVED MODE OF REGULATING THE ELECTRIC LIGHT
Year: 1853

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Armand Le Comte de Fontaine Moreau,
of the English and Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Fins-
bury, London, and 39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, France, for the
Invention of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF REGULATING THE ELECTRIC
LIGHT." A communication.
-
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Armand Le
Comte de Fontaine Moreau at the Office of the Commissioners of
Patents, with his Petition, on the 2nd August 1853.
I, PETER ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of the English
and Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, &
39, Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, France, do hereby declare the nature of
the Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF REGULATING THE ELECTRIC
LIGHT" to be as follows:-
The Invention communicated to me consists in the construction of
an apparatus for for regulating the electric light, and rendering it steady
and of a duration such as to be permanently useful.
The apparatus is composed of a wooden cylinder, to both extremities
of which are set two brass rings a small distance apart, and so fitted as

page_text: to turn freely. Each of these rings or ferrules is provided with a
small brass column, which have themselves at top a groove on which
slide the carbon points serving to produce the light. A pulley on
which slips a small cord is placed to each outer end of the slides in
grooves. Their inner end is also provided with a pulley causing the
carbon points to bear on their slide, and directing them regularly so as
to insure their mutual contact. In the centre of the wooden cylinder a
metallic or wooden ball serves as a leg or as a point of suspension for
the whole apparatus. On the left of the cylinder, and in the space
between the columns, there is a train of three wheels and a flyer. Onc
of the wheels carries a small roller or pulley divided in three grooves, and
on one of these is coiled the cord, which having passed over the sinall
pulley before described is made to hook to a small piece or clasp serving
to get hold of the head of the carbon point in order to stop or regulate
its course according to the train which puts it in motion. A. second
cord is attached on the second groove of the pulley, on which it coils in
the same manner, and passes on the other side over a first small pulley
acting as a stretcher. The cord passes from it over a pulley parallel with
the first one, in order to direct the front carbon point. A hook or ring
is placed on the clasp fixed to the external end of the carbon points, and
the extremities of two steel springs enter into that ring; the blades of
these springs are straight at their beginning, and coil spirally at their
lower part, and are finally fixed on the wooden cylinder. They serve
to push the carbon points towards the centre by approaching each other,
in order to produce by their contact the current producing the evolution
of light. On the other side and parallel with the catchings a small
electro-maguet is set on the wooden cylinder. It is at first round the
magnet that circulates the current feeding the light, and furnishes it
with the force necessary for the combustion, wear, and action of the
carbon points. An iron piece is placed in contact with the electro-
magnet, and has an elbowed rod sufficiently long when it is raised to
stop the flyers of the catching. All the outer extremities of the
cylinder are two hollowed knobs with pressure screws; they serve to
receive and fix the electric current conductors. Around the knobs
there is a strong spiral spring having its internal extremity fixed on the

page_text: wood cylinder, and the external end to the ring next to it; that ring
carries one of the four columns supported by the four rings. A stop in
the form of a knee having its point of action to its angle by means of a
permanent pivot is provided at each end with a hook. The inferior
ones bridles the spiral spring set on the end of the wooden cylinder,
and consequently the ring adhering to the spring by means of a notch
cut in the said ring. The other end of the stop meets the springs
pushing the carbon at the extreme point of the space travelled by the
said springs, and the stop is set free. When the carbons are nearly
exhausted, and unable to furnish any longer the light, a third cord fixed
over the third groove of the pulley herein-before described, but coiling
in an inverted direction to the two first cords, is provided to the other
end with a small weight, causing it to draw back the pulley, and con-
sequently to separate the carbon points one from the other when the
apparatus is to be put into operation. The two other inner rings, set
also on the wooden cylinder, serve to support a second apparatus similar
to that herein-before described, except, however, that they have the same
conductors, the same wooden cylinder with the joint by which they are
united permanently, in order that as soon as the carbons are nearly ex-
hausted by the combustion the apparatus thus exhausted be instaneously
displaced to make room for the second and similar apparatus, but
provided with fresh carbon points, and thus preventing any intermittence
in the evolution of the light.
DESCON OF SUR DRAWINGS
Figure 1, is a front view of the apparatus. A, is a wooden cylinder
serving as basis to the main pieces. B, is a wooden or metallic ball to
suspend the apparatus by means of the hook G', Figure 2, or to place
it on a table by means of the legs 6, 6¹. C, C, moveable ring or ferrule
turning on the beam A, and on which the columns D, D¹, are placed.
Figure 1, is a front view of the apparatus. A, is a wooden cylinder
serving as basis to the main pieces. B, is a wooden or metallic ball to
suspend the apparatus by means of the hook G', Figure 2, or to place
it on a table by means of the legs 6, 61. C, C, moveable ring or ferrule
turning on the beam A, and on which the columns D, D¹, are placed.
E, E, slides fixed to the columns D, D', and serving to direct the carbon
points F, F. G, G, piece fitted on the columns D, D¹; it is provided
with the small pullies T, T', on which run the cords a, a, a, a, having
one extremity attached to the hooks I, 1, and the other to the bazel
of the pulley No. 1, of the train of wheel M. H, H', piece fixed to the

page_text: other extremity of the slides E, E, provided with: pullics on which the
carbon turns by bearing on the slide, and thus mects the carbon in front.
J, J, J, J, steel springs having their spiral basis fixed on the beam
A, and the other end passing through a ring or hook of the piece.
H, H', is attached to the head of the carbon.". That end causes the
carbons to progress.towards their point of contact F, F, on account of
the contrary force it opposes to the cord which kept back the hook I, I'.
I, is a stop in the form of a knee provided at one of its ends with
the hook 1, 1, which reaches the springs J, J, J, J. When L, has
reached its extrême course close to the pulley EI, H', it is the force of
the stop L, which lets escape from its notch the other hook l', set at
the other extremity, and which serves to bring back to its place the
same system set on the rings C, C, C, C, when the last are acted by
the piece V, Figure 2. That picce V, unites permanently the two
apparatuses by means of the spring e, set on the beam A. M, frame
composed of two small plates fixed to the beam A, and enclosing a train
of pullics'; one of thein, No. 1, is divided in three grooves, and is set on
an axis having a bevel wheel and a catch. The wheel No. 1, having
any number of cogs, catches with the pinion of the pulley No. 2, which
catches by means of its pinion with the pulley No. 3, which gives the
motion to the flyer No. 4. On the pulley No. 1, is coileil the cord a, a, a, a,
as well as the cord, to which is suspended the weight S, but in a contrary
direction. O, is the electro-magnet, around which the current of the
generator circulates by means of the point of contacts R, which gives to
the electro-magnet the magnetic force required to attract at the necessary
moment the piece N, fixed at n, n, on the beam A. The piece N,
offers then an obstacle to the flyer 4, which opposes a résistance to the
train of wheels M. The main current of the conductor P, when pass-
ing on the fixed point, is everywhere isolated by a layer of gutta-
percha, except, however, at the meeting point R, which conducts it to
the electro-magnet. The current then passes through the electro-
magnet, and egresses by means of the conductor e, which is put into
communication with the basis of the spring J, 'close to the spiral point,
or on any other point on the same side of the apparatus, and is con-
ducted by it to the carbon. The conductor P, P, on the opposite side

page_text: is to enter in direct communication with the column D, D, to conduct
the electric current on the other front carbon.
Figure 2, is a side view of the regulator, and represents part of the
same organs as shewn in Figure 1. The same letters of reference are
used, except for the spring e, placed on the cylinder A, which causes
the column D, D, by means of the piece V, to take the place of the
column D, set vertically. This piece V, is constructed of wood, and
serves to isolate the two apparatus, and follow each other. It will be
easily understood that the conductor P, passing through the piece a,
and being kept in a fixed manner by the cylinder A, which is itself
placed in an immoveable position, and is beside in contact with the
columns at the point R, the conductor P, takes the same position rela-
tively to the column D, D, which conducts the current to its new
carbon points.
SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
filed by the said Peter Armand Le Comte de Fontaine Moreau
in the Great Seal Patent Office, on the 2nd February 1854.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I,
PETER ARMAND LE COMTE DE FONTAINE MOREAU, of the English and
Foreign Patent Office, 4, South Street, Finsbury, London, and 39,
Rue de l'Echiquier, Paris, send greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her
Letters Patent, bearing date the Second day of August, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-three, in the seven-
teenth year of Her reign, did, for Herself, Her heirs and successors,
give and grant unto mic, the said Peter Armand Le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, Her special licence that I, the said Peter Armand Le Comte
de Fontaine Moreau, my executors, administrators, and assigns, or
such others as 1, the said Peter Armand Le Comte de Fontaine
Moreau, my executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time
agree with, and no others, from time to time and at all times there-
after during the term therein expressed, should and lawfully might

page_text: make, use, exercise, and vend, within the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and Isle of Man,
an Invention for "AN IMPROVED MODE OF REGULATING THE ELECTRIC
LIGHT," communicated to me from a foreigner residing abroad, upon
the condition (amongst others) that I, the said Peter Armand Le Comite
de Fontaine Moreau, by an instrument in writing under my hand
and seal, should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the
said Invention, and in what manner the same was to be performed,
and cause the same to be filed in the Great Seal Patent Office within
six calendar months next and immediately after the date of the said
Letters Patent.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said Peter Armand Le Comte
de Fontaine Moreau, do hereby declare the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, to he par-
ticularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement
thereof, reference being had to the Drawing hereto annexed, and to
the figures and letters marked thereon, that is to say:
The Invention communicated to me consists in the construction of
apparatus for obtaining the electric light in a more steady and regular
manner, and of a longer duration than by the usual apparatus.
This apparatus is so constructed that its parts when suspended
do not form any shadow underneath; it is composed of a wooden
cylinder, at each extremity of which are set two brass rings a little
apart, and adjusted so as to turn freely. Each of these rings is pro-
vided with a small brass pillar, having a slide at top for the electrodes
to move in for the production of electric light. At each of the
outer extremities of the grooves a small pulley is set, over which a
cord passes, and at each of the inner extremities of the said slides
another pulley is set, serving to cause the electrodes to bear on the
grooves, and direct them regularly towards each other. The wooden
cylinder is supported by a metallic or wooden ball set on feet, or it may
be suspended by it. A. train of three wheels and fly wheel are set on
the left side of the cylinder between the pillars; one of the said wheels
opposite the fly wheel is provided with a cylinder having three grooves.
On one of the three grooves a cord is wound, which afterwards is con-

page_text: nected with the hook for holding, stopping, and regulating the electrode
according to the motion of the wheel work. Over a second groove
another cord is wound in the same direction, which passes on the other
side over another of the three wheels acting as stretcher, and after-
wards over the wheel parallel to the first for directing the electrode
in front. The hook is fixed friction-wise, and at the outer extremity of
the electrode a ring is set upon this hook which receives the extremi-
ties of two steel springs. The stems of these springs are straight at
top, and terminate in a coil at their lower part to permit of being fixed
to the cylinder of the apparatus. These springs serve to impel the
electrodes towards each other in the centre, until by their contact they
generate the electric current producing evolution of light. On the
right side of the apparatus, and parallel to the train of wheels, a
small electro-magnet is placed on the cylinder, around which circu-
lates the electric current of the necessary force for feeding the elec-
trodes according to their motion and the requirements of combustion.
An iron piece, serving as point of contact with the electro-magnet,
has a bent rod sufficiently long to reach, and when raised to stop,
the fly wheel. At each end of the cylinder two pierced knobs are
set, having set screws to receive and fix the electric conductors. Around
these knobs a strong spiral spring is adjusted, the internal extremity
of which is fixed to the cylinder, and the external extremity to the
ring next to it, which ring carries one of the four pillars of the four
rings. A crank having its moving point set by a pivot is provided
with a hook at each end, and so disposed that the lower hook clasps
the spiral spring set at the extremity of the wooden cylinder, and at
the same time the ring adhering to it by means of a notch in the ring.
The springs set at the other extremity push the electrodes in such wise
as to set the crank free when they are exhausted. A third cord is fixed
over a third groove of the pulley before described, coiling in an
inverse direction to the two first cords, and terminating by a small
weight, which serves to draw back the hook and separate the electrodes
when the apparatus is set in operation. The small pulley with the the
three cords is provided with a ratchet wheel in order to allow the cylin-
der with grooves to turn in an inverse direction to that of the cog-

page_text: wheels, which are set in motion by the springs acting on the electrodes.
The other two internal rings set on the main cylinder serve to form
another apparatus similar to that before described. The conductors,
cylinder, and part by which they are united permanently are common
to both, in order that when the clectrode is nearly exhausted the first
apparatus should be forthwith replaced by the second with a fresh
supply of electrode, and thus afford a double supply of light.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING.
Figure 1, longitudinal section of the apparatus. A, wooden cylinder
serving to support the various organs thereof. B, wooden. or metallic
ball standing on legs b', ', or suspended by the hook G, Figure 2.
C, C', moveable rings turning on the cylinder A, and on which the
pillars D, D', are fixed. E, E', slides set on the pillars D, D', and
serving to direct the electrodes F, F. G, G', picces adapted to the
slides E, E, and provided with small pullies, over which the cords
a, a, a, a, pass, having one extremity fixed to the hook 1', and the other
extremity fastened round the wheel No. 1. H, H, pieces fixed to the
extremities of the slides E, E', provided with pullies which cause the
electrodes to run along, and while bearing against the sides of the slide
to meet each other. J, J', steel springs having their spiral bases fixed to
the cylinder A, and the other end passing through the hook J. L, crank
provided with a hook f, 1, at one of its extremities, which the springs
J, J, touch when arrived at the position shewn by the dotted lines
near the pulley H. The springs J, J, then allow the hook ', to
escape from its notch, by which the pillars D, D', on the rings C, C',
are brought back to their places, being drawn along by the wooden
piece V, Figure 2. M, box composed of two small plates fixed to the
cylinder A, and containing a train of wheels, one of which is provided
with a cylinder having three grooves, and carrying on its axis a cog-
wheel and catch. The wheel No. 1, catches with the pinion of pulley 2,
which catches by means of its pinion with the pulley 3, giving motion
to the fly wheel 4. The cords a, a, a, a, are coiled over the pulley 1,
as also the cord to which the counterpoise S, is suspended, but in an
opposite direction to the two former. O, electro-magnet, around

page_text: which circulates the main current from the battery at the point of
contact R. The current gives to the magnet the required force for
attracting at the required moment the piece N, fixed at n, n. This
picce N, acts on the fly wheel 4, and by that means stops the train of
wheels. The main current of the conductor P', passes through the fixed
point, and is insulated by means of gutta-percha, except at the meeting
point R. From this point the main current is conducted to the electro-
magnet O, and after running through it by means of the conductor a,
proceeds to the base of the spring J, close to the coil, or to any
other point on the same side of the apparatus by which it can be con-
ducted to the electrodes. The conductors P, P, on the opposite side
should be in direct communication with the pillar D, to conduct the
electric current on to the electrode opposite.
Figure 2, side view of the apparatus. E, spring serving to bring the
pillar D, to the place of the pillar D', set vertically. V, a wooden
piece serving to insulate the two parts of the apparatus, and make
them succeed each other.
Having now described the nature of the said Invention, and the
manner of carrying the same into effect, what I claim as of the
Invention communicated to me is, the arrangement of apparatus for
regulating the supply and motion of the electrodes, by which a more
continuous and steady light than heretofore is obtained, reference being
had to the Figures of the annexed Drawing.
In witness whereof, I, the said Peter Armand Le Comte le
Fontaine Moreau, have hereto set my hand and seal, this
Second day of February, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and fifty-four.
L' DE FONTAINE MOREAU. (L.S.)