Improvements relating to the Transformation and Utilization of Electrical Energy.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 11th Oct., .1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements relating to the Transformation and Utilization of
Electrical Energy.
1, MARK WESLEY DEWEY, of the City of Syracuse, in the County of Onondaga
and State of New York, United States of America, Electrician, do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for IMPROVEMENT IN METHOD OF TRANSFORMING
AND UTILIZING ELECTRICAL ENERGY, and in what manner the same is to he
performed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:—
In a system of transformation and distribution of electrical energy by means of
condensers it is very essential, especially when the transformation is to be great,
while the total primary energy is maintained or substantially maintained, that the
transformed charge be induced simultaneously and instantaneously with and by the
primary charge. It is important also that the member or members of the condenser
holding the transformed charge should have a conductivity proportional to the
capacity, so that it will offer hut very little resistance, and, further, to afford perfect
regulation of the supply and transformation of electricity the surface areas of the
condensers should be variable. If to one of two metallic sheets or plates separated
by a thin sheet of insulating material-as mica, paraffined paper, or other suitable
substance-a charge of electricity be imparted from a source, an equal charge, but of
opposite sign, will be induced on the other plate if their exposed surface areas are
the same.
It is quite impossible to form a condenser having but two members so that
one member will expose a much greater inductive surface than the other; otherwise
it would be a very simple matier to effect transformation, as, of course, this depends
upon the relative exposed surfaces of the members. If one member of the same con-
denser is formed with a greater surface than the other, it is immaterial for the
purpose of transformation if the exposed inductive surface is not greater in one than
the other. The only exception to this is, that a charge may be induced on a part or
parts of an uninsulated enlarged member. Then, by insulating the latter and dis-
charging the inducing member, allowing the induced charge to spread over the
enlarged surface, the latter member can be discharged at a reduced potential;
but if both members are simultaneously discharged and while the large surface
member is left uninsulated, as has been proposed, the electricity would not spread
over the entire enlarged surface before discharging itself, but would discharge itself
instantly at a tension or electro-motive force very nearly if not as great as that of the
discharge of the inducing member.
To this end my invention consists, broadly, in charging a member of a condenser
with electricity and simultaneously therewith and thereby inducing a transformed
charge of electricity on another member of a condenser, and then discharging the
transformed charge through suitable electric translating or consumption devices.
In order to carry out my invention 1 use in some cases two condensers or their
equivalent at each consumption-station, and in other cases these condensers are
duplicated. When using but two condensers, one has a larger capacity or surface area
than the other, and, preferably, the one having the largest capacity has also a higher
conductivity, their connection with the source of electricity and consumption-con-
ductor depending of course upon whether the potential of the primary charge is to be
increased or reduced. If the potential is to be increased, the large surface condenser
is connected with the main line and the small surface condenser is connected to the
consumption-conductor, with a suitable electrical connection between the two con-
densers; but if the potential is to be reduced the connection of the condensers to the
line and consumption conductors are reversed, all as shown in the drawings.

page_text: In the drawings herewith,
Figure 1 represents a diagram showing a plan of my system when two sets of
condensers are employed at each consumer's station.
Fig. 2 shows a plan of the system when but one set is used.
Fig. 3 is a modification of a set of condensers formed into a double condenser, and
Fig. 4 shows means for varying the surface area or capacity of the condensers.
Referring specifically to the drawings, A is an alternating-current dynamo-electric
machine, and B and B are main lines extending therefrom to the consumption-
stations. But two of these stations S and S' are represented in the figure, and are
sufficient to illustrate the principles of my invention.
At station S and between the main lines B and B are located the electrostatic
condensers or transformers.
C
C and C indicate the small surface or capacity condensers, and D and D' the
large surface or capacity condensers. One member of each of the small surface-con-
densers is connected to one of the main lines-the member of C with line B and
member c of C with line B. The other members c¹ of said condensers are each
connected to one of the members of the large surface condensers e¹ of C with d of D,
and of with d of D. The members of the large surface condensers are con-
nected to the terminals of the consumption or low-resistance supply-conductors E
and E¹, and between these conductors are indicated electric translating devices e ee &c.,
in the form of heaters.
Electric heaters are often and preferably formed so as to require a current of very
great volume and low tension similar to the current employed for welding purposes.
This current is produced from a high-tension current of small volume hy my method
of electrostatic transformation. The two members of each condenser have the same
surface area. The difference in the surface area between the small and large con-
densers depends upon the extent of the transformation or conversion of the qualities
of the current required. For instance, if the electricity is to be transformed, so that
the voltage will be reduced from five hundred to one hundred and the ampères
increased from one hundred to five hundred, the capacity or surface area of the
members of the large condenser should be five times greater than the surface area
of the small condenser. The number of plates or sheets in the large condenser may
be greater or less than the number of plates or sheets in the small condenser without
very materially changing the transformation, providing the capacity or surface area
in each remains the same. The conductivity, however, of the large condenser should
be good or better than is necessary for the small condenser so that it will be able to
conduct freely the current of great volume thereto and therefrom without heating or
waste of energy. The only difference in the apparatus at S' is that a large and a small
condenser are combined in one, members c and d being directly connected together
to make the apparatus more compact, and the translating devices e e e &c., indicate
incandescent lamps. The extent of transformation for the lamps not being as great
as that required for the heaters at S, the surface areas of condensers D and D are
not as great as the condensers at station S.
Fig. 2 shows one terminal of generator A connected to ground G by conductor B¹,
and but one set of condensers employed at a consumption-station, one having a
small surface and the other a large surface, connected together, as at S¹ of Fig. 1.
The member d of the large condenser is connected to the low-resistance conductor E
on one side of the lamps, as before; but the low-resistance conductor E¹ is connected
to ground G¹.
Fig. 3 shows a modification of a double condenser, (represented at S¹ of Fig. 1,)
the only difference being that each terminal member has the same number of plates
allowing the opposite or interior plates c and d to be formed in one set. A small
portion of the plates in inductional proximity to the member c constitutes the member c¹,
and the larger portion in inductional proximity to d' constitutes the member d. The
inner plates in this case are of superior conductivity to even at the portion or
portions in inductive proximity to the same; but it will be obvious that they may be
constructed thinner at this portion than the other if desirable.
!

page_text: In Fig. 4, CCCC represent a series of small-capacity condensers connected to
line B through a switch for regulating the chargo by varying the extent of the
surface of the inducing members cccc. F designates a pivoted quadrant-shaped
switch arm having an insulated handle and arranged to bridge one or all the
terminals nn nn so as to vary the quantity of the charge. This switch-arm is in
circuit with the main line B through its pivot vand conductor b. The members c¹ c¹ &c.,
of the condensers C C &c., are connected to conductor 6', leading to the pivot v of
another switch F, similar to that herein before described, and controlling the inductive
surface of the large condensers D. The terminals n' n', &c., of switch F' are con-
nected to the members d d d d, each member having a separate terminal. Both
switches are shown in the figure as moved to include two and cut out two
condensers in each series. The members d' d' d' d' of the condensers D are
electrically connected to a low-resistance supply-conductor.
The electrical connections, switches, &c., may be changed according to the require-
ments of my system without departing from the spirit of my invention, as the said
invention is susceptible of many modifications and its scope is not confined to the
specific forms or arrangements shown and described herein.
The operation, briefly, is as follows: The alternating-current generator A pro-
duce an alternating current and alternately charges both sides of the line, when
two lines are employed, as in Fig. 1, with a potential say, of five hundred volts above
and below zero. When one line is charged above zero, the other is below, and vice versa.
If the first impulse in the lines charges line B positively and lino B¹ negatively,
the members c c of condenser C will be charged with positive electricity to five
hundred volts, and the members c of C¹ will be charged with negative electricity to
five hundred volts. The charging of said members induces like charges, but opposito
in sign on their corresponding members in the same condensers. Simultaneously
therewith and thereby is induced upon the members d d of condensers D and Di
charges of much lower voltage and greater volume than is present in condensers C
and C, depending upon the proportion of their surface areas and conductivity. If
the surface areas or capacities of condensers D and D' are five times larger than the
surface areas or capacities of condensers C and C, the qualities of the current will be
changed accordingly; or, in other words, the voltage will be reduced to one hundred,
and the number of ampères will be increased to five times the number transmitted on
the main lines. The charges on the members d d of condensers D and D₁ induce
like charges, but opposite in sign on their corresponding members d¹¹ in the same
condensers, and these latter plates or members, being oppositely charged with
transformed or converted electricity, discharge themselves one into the other, or
exchange their electricity very rapidly and with every reversal of the current in the
main lines. The translating devices e e e &c., being connected between the supply-
conductors E and E¹, leading from the terminals of the members d¹ d', receive both
the charges and discharges of electricity through them, consuming the energy thereof.
The total energy in this case will of course be doubled.
It is obvious that if the condensers above referred to are provided with the means
shown in Fig. 4 for varying the surface of the plates the tension and volume of the
current through the translating devices can be regulated and adjusted as required.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven
tion, and in, what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim. is:-
1-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging one member of a condenser with electricity of high tension and small
volume, thereby inducing a like charge on the other member, and simultaneously
therewith and thereby charging the member of another condenser with electricity of
low tension and great volume, and then discharging the condensers, and passing the
transformed electricity through one or more electric translating devices.
2-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in

page_text: charging one member of a condenser with electricity having certain qualities, thereby
inducing a like charge on the other member, and simultaneously therewith and
thereby charging the members of another condenser with electricity having
qualities different from those possessed by the electricity of the former condenser,
and then discharging the condensers and passing the transformed electricity through
one or more electric translating devices.
3-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting
in charging one member of a condenser with electricity of high tension and small
volume, and simultaneously therewith and thereby charging a member of a con-
denser with electricity of low tension and great volume, and then discharging the
latter and passing the transformed electricity through one or more electric
translating devices.
4-The method of transformation or conversion of electrical energy, consisting in
alternately charging and discharging a member of a condenser with positive and
negative electricity, respectively, having certain qualities, and simultaneously there-
with and thereby alternately charging and discharging a member of a condenser
with positive and negative electricity, respectively, having different qualities from
those possessed by the electricity of the former, and passing the alternate charges
and discharges of transformed or converted electricity through one or more electric
translating devices.
5-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting
in charging one member of a condenser having a small surface area with electricity,
thereby inducing a charge on another member having like surface area, and
simultaneously therewith and thereby charging the members of another condenser
having greater surface area than the former, and then discharging the latter or
greater surface area condenser and passing the electricity therefrom through electric
translating devices.
6-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging one member of a condenser having a small surface area with electricity,
thereby inducing a charge on another member having like surface area, and simul-
taneously therewith and thereby charging the members of another condenser having
greater surface area and conductivity than the former, and then discharging the latter
or greater surface-area condenser, and passing the electricity therefrom through low-
resistance supply-conductors to electric translating devices.
7 The method of transformation of electrical energy, consisting in inducing
electrostatically by a current of a certain tension and volume a current of a different
tension and volume without changing materially the total energy of the inducing
current.
8 The method of transformation of electrical energy, consisting in electrostatically
and by a current of a certain electro-motive force and volume inducing simultaneously
therewith a current of a different electro-motive force, and volume and maintaining
the same or approximately the same total energy in the induced current.
9-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging a member of a condenser with electricity of a certain tension and volume,
and simultaneously therewith and thereby charging a member of a condenser with
electricity of different tension and volume, and then discharging the latter and passing
the transformed electricity to one or more electric translating devices.
10 The method of transformation or conversion of electrical energy, consisting in
charging a member of a condenser with electricity, and simultaneously therewith and
thereby charging a member of a condenser with electricity of different tension, and
then discharging both members.
..11-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging one member of a condenser having a variable surface area with electricity
thereby inducing a like charge on the other member and simultaneously therewith
and thereby charging the members of another condenser. having a variable surface
area with electricity having different qualities from those possessed by the electricity

page_text: of the former condenser, and then discharging the condensers and passing the
transformed electricity through one or more electric translating devices.
12 The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging the members of a condenser with electricity and simultaneously therewith
and thereby charging the members of another condenser having a variable surface
area with electricity, and then discharging the latter through one or more electric
translating devices, and varying the tension and volume of the discharge by varying
the surface area of the latter condenser.
13-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging two condensers of like capacity with electricity, simultaneously therewith
and thereby charging two other condensers of like capacity but different from that of
the former two, discharging the latter two condensers, and passing the transformed
electricity therefrom through one or more electric translating devices.
14-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging one of the members of each of the condensers of like capacity with electricity
simultaneously therewith and thereby charging one of the members of each of two
condensers of like capacity but differing from the capacity of the former members,
discharging the latter two members, and passing the transformed electricity therefroui
through one or more electric translating devices.
15 The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging two condensers of like but small capacity with electricity, and simultaneously
therewith and thereby charging two other condensers of like but greater capacity
than the former two, discharging the great capacity condensers and passing the
electricity therefrom through low-resistance supply-conductors to electric translating
devices.
16-The method of transformation and utilization of electrical energy, consisting in
charging two condensers of like but small capacity and low conductivity with
electricity, and simultaneously therewith and thereby charging two other condensers
of like but greater capacity and conductivity than the former two, discharging the
great capacity condensers, and passing the electricity therefrom through low-resistance
supply-conductors to electric translating devices.
Dated this 11th day of Apr
MARK WESLEY DEWEY.
Haseltine, Lake & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.