IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Andrew Mackie, of No. 42, Cambridge Street, Pimlico,
in the County of Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
APPARATUS USED FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Andrew Mackie at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 2nd January 1882.
ANDREW MACKIE of No. 42 Cambridge Street, Pimlico in the County of
Middlesex. "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING."
This Invention relates to an improved incandescent lamp constructed with two
or more filaments enclosed in an exhausted glass globe and to which there is con-
nected a regulating arrangement whereby any surplus currents of electricity over
and above that required to make a single filament incandescent, is shunted into the
next filament or filaments, according to the strength of such excess of current thus
preventing any one of thein being overheated and destroyed, and admitting of the
illuminating power of every lamp in a circuit being increased by simply increasing
the main current to a suitable extent.
In carrying out this Invention I proceed as follows. All the positive terminals
of the filaments in the globe are connected to studs let into a piece of insulating
material, the studs being fixed at a certain distance apart; the branch positive
conductor from the main lead being attached to the first of the studs. On the first
stud there rests a sliding contact piece of such size and shape that when moved
to the necessary extent it can cover and make contact with the whole of the
studs.
This contact piece is attached to a spindle connected to the armature of an
electro-magnet, a small spring being arranged so as to press the armature away
from the magnet.
When a normal current on its way to stud No. 1 passes round the coil of the
electro magnet, this latter overcoming the pressure of the spring attracts the
armature and so draws the contact piece into close proximity to the second stud,
but should an excess of current occur either accidentally or intentionally such

page_text: excess over and above the normal current will draw the armature still closer to the
magnet and so cause the contact piece to slide over and make contact with one or
more studs according to the amount of such excess of current, thus throwing the
corresponding filaments into action.
When the excess current decreases a reverse action takes place by the action of
the spring forcing back the armature; so that the contact piece is caused to break
contact with the studs and throw the filaments out of use.
This regulator can be applied to a number of single electric lamps grouped
together to form one illuminating centre.
When the current is required to pass through lamps in series the studs and
sliding contact piece are slightly altered in their arrangement in the following
manner.
The current after passing round the coil of the electro magnet is taken direct to
the positive terminal of the first lamp, the negative terminal being connected to the
first stud, the positive terminal of the second lamp also being attached to the first
stud; the negative terminal of the second lamp being attached to the second stud
and so on according to the number of lamps used; the last stud being connected to
the negative conductor.
The sliding contact piece is in contact with all the studs when the first lamp is
in action but when moved by an excess of current it is drawn away and breaks
contact with one or more studs according to the strength of such excess of current
thus throwing into action the lamps corresponding to the studs. The contact piece
being of such a size and shape as to be always in contact with the last stud.
Instead of an electro magnet a solenoid or other suitable attracting apparatus
nctuated by a current of electricity can be used; and a lever or other connection
can be used for communicating motion to the contact piece in place of the spindle
herein before described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Andrew Mackie in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 1st July
1882.
ANDREW MACKIE of No. 42 Cambridge Street Pimlico in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS USED FOR ELECTRIC LIGHTING."
This Invention relates to an improved incandescent lamp constructed with two
or more filaments enclosed in an exhausted glass globe and to which there is
connected a regulating arrangement whereby any surplus current of electricity
over and above that required to make a single filament incandescent is shunted
into the next filament or filaments according to the strength of such excess of
current thus preventing any one of them being overheated and destroyed, and
admitting of the illuminating power of every lamp in a circuit being increased by
simply increasing the main current to a suitable extent.
In carrying out this Invention I proceed as follows: All the positive terminals
of the filaments in the globe are connected to studs let into a piece of insulating
material, the studs being fixed at a certain distance apart; the branch positive
conductor from the main lead being attached to the first of the studs.
On the first stud there rests a sliding contact piece of such size and shape that
when moved to the necessary extent it can cover and make contact with the whole
of the studs.
This contact piece is attached to a spindle connected to the armature of an
electro magnet, a small spring being arranged so as to press the armature away
from the magnet.
When a normal current on its way to stud No. 1 passes round the coil of the
electro magnet, this latter overcoming the pressure of the spring attracts the
armature and so draws the contact piece into close proximity to the second stud
but should an excess of current occur either accidentally or intentionally such
excess over and above the normal current will draw the armature still closer to the
magnet and so cause the contact piece to slide over and make contacts with one or
more studs according to the amount of such excess of current, thus throwing the
corresponding filaments into action.
When the excess current decreases a reverse action takes place by the action of
the spring forcing back the armature; so that the contact pioce is caused to break
contact with the studs and throw the filaments out of use.
This regulator can be applied to a number of single electric lamps grouped
together to form one illuminating centre.
When the current is required to pass through lamps in series the studs and
sliding contact piece are slightly altered in their arrangement in the following
manner.
The current after passing round the coil of the electro magnet is taken direct to
the positivo terminal of the first lamp, the negative terminal being connected to the
first stud, the positive terminal of the second lamp also being attached to the first
stud; the negative terminal of the second lamp being attached to the second stud;
and so on according to the number of lamps used; the last stud being connected to
the negative conductor.
The sliding contact piece is in contact with all the studs when the first lamp is
in action but when moved by an excess of current it is drawn away and breaks
contact with one or more studs according to the strength of such excess of currents
thus throwing into action the lamps corresponding to the studs. The contact
piece being of such a size and shape as to be always in contact with the last stud.

page_text: Instead of an electro magnet a solenoid or other suitable attracting apparatus
actuated by a current of electricity can be used; and a lever or other connection
can be used for communicating motion to the contact piece in place of the spindle
hereinbefore described.
In order that my said Invention may be most fully understood and readily
carried into effect I will proceed to describe the Drawings hereunto annexed.
Figure 1 represents incandescent lamps arranged in multiple arc.
The conductor is wound so as to form an electro magnet or solenoid a to which
is pivotted the armature band contact lever c the play of the lever c being limited 1
by the stops ff.
To one end of the contact lever c there is attached an adjustable spring e which
resists the pull of the electro magnet on the armature b.
The end of the conductor is left free to be connected up to the main positive
lead the other end being connected to the contact stud d' this stud being always
in contact with the lever c.
The first lamp has its positive terminal connected to the stud d. by the
connection the second lamp has its positive terminal connected up to the
stud by the connection and the third lamp g³ has its positive terminal
connected up to the stud by the connection ³.
The negative terminals of the lamps glg g3 being connected up to the negative
lead common to them all.
jis the positive connection from the main lead.
A current of electricity passing round the coil of the electro-magnet a on its
way to the lamp g attracts the armature b and causes the lever c to make
contact with the studs din succession according to the strength of the current
passing round the coil; any excess of current beyond that required for the lamp gl
is thus shunted into the lamp g2 and any beyond that required for the lamps g¹
and g is shunted into the lamp g³.
"
•
This arrangement is applicable to two or more carbons in one globe one or more
being put into action at will by simply increasing the current. Or to two or more
single lamps in a street lamp or chandelier. Or to two or more separate lamps
placed in various positions and connected up to the shunt.
Figure 2 also shews incandescent lamps arranged in multiple arc.
The conductor is wound so as to form an electro magnet or solenoid a to which
is pivotted the armature b and contact lever c. the play of the lever c, being limited
by the stops ff.
To one end of the contact lever c is attached an adjustable spring e which
resists the pull of the electro magnet a on the armature b.
The end of the conductor is left free to be connected up to the main positive
lead the other end being connected up direct to the positive terminals of the
lamps gg² g³.
The negative terminal of the lamp g' is connected to the stud
by means of
the connection . This stud being always in contact with the contact lever c.
The main negative lead being also connected to the stud d².
The negative terminal of the lamp is connected up to the stud № and the
negative terminal of the lamp g³ is connected to the stud d³.
hh are the positive and are the negative connections to the lamps.
A current of electricity passing round the coil of the electro-magnet a on its
way to the lamp g, attracts the armature and causes the lever c to make
contact with the studs and in succession according to the strength of the
current passing round the coil, any excess current beyond that required for the
lamp g, is thus shunted into the lamp g² and any current beyond that required for
the lamps g and g² is shunted into the lamp g³.
Figure 3 shews incandescent or are lamps arranged in series.

page_text: The conductor is wound so as to form an electro-magnet or solenoid a to
which is pivotted the armature b and contact lever c the play of the lever c being
limited by the stops ff.
To one end of the contact lever c there is attached an adjustable spring e which
resists the pull of the electro-magnet on the armature b.
The end of the conductor is left free to be connected up to the main positive
lead the other end being connected up direct to the lamp g¹.
The negative terminal of the lamp g is connected to the positive terminal of the
lamp and also to the contact stud d'.
The negative terminal of the lamp g" is connected to the positive terminal of the
Jamp and to the contact stud d³.
The negative terminal of the lamp g³ is connected up to the positive terminal of
the lamp g' and to the contact stud d³.
The negative terminal of the lamp g' is connected up to to the contact stud d'
this stud being also connected to the inain negative lead h.
All the contact studs d' d' d' are in contact with the lever c.
When a current of electricity passes round the coil of the electro-magnet a on its
way through the lamp g' it causes the electro-magnet to attract the armature b
and makes the lever c break contact with the studs d¹ d³ in succession
according to the strength of the current, the lever c always remaining in contact
with the stud ('.
Any excess of current beyond that required for the lamp g' is thus caused to
pass through the lamp g² and any excess over that required for the lamps g' and g²
is sent through g³ and any excess beyond that necessary for the lamp g' g' and g³
is sent through the lamp g*.
This arrangement is applicable to two or more are lamps in a single lamp one
or more being put into action at will by increasing the current at the generating
station, or to two or more single arc lamp distributed in various positions one or
more being put into action in the same manner by being connected up to shunt
placed in any convenient position.
Figure 4 shews an arrangement for working a number of lamps with a certain
number out of action except when the necessary extra current is sent through the
main, when the whole of the reserve lamps are put to work.
The lamps are shown arranged in multiple arc.
The conductor is wound so as to form an electro magnet or solenoid a to which
is pivotted the armature b and the contact lever c the play of the lever being
limited by the stops ff.
To one end of the contact lever c there is attached an adjustable spring e which
resists the pull of the electro magnet on the armature b.
The conductor j is connected direct to the lamp g' and is also wound round the
coil of the electro magnet a and then connected to the contact stud d' this stud
being always in contact with the lever c.
The positive terminal of the lamp is also connected to the stud d by the
connection ².
The positive terminal of the lamp g2 is connected up to the stud by the
connection the negative terminals of the lamps g'g² g³ are connected to the
main negative lead which is common to all of them.
Any excess of current over that necessary for the supply of a given number of
lamps causes the electro magnet u to attract the armature causing the lever c
to make contact with the stud d throwing the lamp into action.
This method is applicable to street lamps, one out of every two three or four or
any other number of lamps being only lit up the rest being put into action at will
by increasing the current from the generating station.
Figure 5 shews an arrangement for working a number of lamps in series a
certain number of them being out of action except when the necessary extra current
is sent through the main lead when the whole of the lamps are lit.
The conductor is connected direct to the lamp g' the negative lead from this

page_text: lamp being then wound so as to form an electro magnet the negative terminal of
the coil being connected to the contact stud d¹.
Pivolted to the electro magnet there is an armature b and contact lever c the
play of this lever being limited by the stops ff.
This lever c is in contact with the stud d'.
The stud 3 is also in contact with the lever c.
The positive terminal of the lamp g² is connected to the contact stud d the
negative terminal of the lamp g being connected to the stud and to the positive
terminal of the lamp g³—the negative terminal of the lamp g³ being connected to
the main negative lead h.
When a current stronger than is required for working the two lamps g¹ and g³
is sent through the main, it, in passing round the coil of the electro magnet a
exerts an increased attractive power on the armature b causing the lever to move
up and make contact with the contact stud 2 breaking contact with the contact
stud at the same moment the current is thus caused to pass through the lamp g²
before passing through the lamp g³.
This method is applicable to street lamps.
Figure 6 is an elevation and Figure 7 is a plan of an arrangement in which moro
than one contact lever is employed.
The Figure shows an arrangement for shunting the current into
multiple arc.
lamps in
A is an electro magnet B'. B². B³. B are armatures-C¹. C². 03. C. are contact
levers fixed to the armatures-D¹. D². D³. D. are contact studs.-E. E². E³. E¹. are
adjustable springs-F¹. F. F³, F. are stops for the levers. G is the main connection
from the positive lead-H is the main connection to the negative lead. I is the
positive connection to first lamp. J. J. J³ are the negative connections for all
the lamps.
One end of the conductor from the coil of the electro magnet A is connected to
the terminal connection G the other end of the coil being connected to the con-
nection I and also to the metal flange of the magnet A in such a manner that
the current can pass from the connection I to the pivots of the contact levers
C1 C2 C3 C
On the top flanges or checks of the magnet A the armatures B¹ B2 B3 B4 and
contact levers C¹. C². C³. C are pivotted in any suitable manner-the lower ends
of the contact levers working between the contact studs D¹. D². D³. D'. and the
stops FF2 F3 F.
Each contact lever has an adjustable spring E1 E2 E3 E for the purpose of
resisting the pull of the electro magnet on their respective armatures B B² B³ B.
A terminal connection G is used for connecting up to the main positive lead
this terminal connection being also attached to the inlet or positive end of the coil
of the electro magnet A.
H is a terminal connection for connecting to the main negative lead, this terminal
connecting screw is also connected up to to the negative screws J. J. J³. in any
suitable manner.
I is a terminal connection connected to the outlet or negative end of the coil of
the electro magnet A and also to the metal cheeks of the magnet in such a manner,
as to allow the current to reach and pass through the pivots of the contact levers
01 02 03 0⭑
The lamps are connected up in the following manner.
No. 1 lamp has its positive terminal connected to the connection I and its
negative terminal connected to the connection J'.
No. 2 lamp has its positive terminal connected up to the contact stud D' and its
negative terminal connected to the terminal screw J.
No. 3 lamp has its positive terminal connected to the contact stud D¹ and its
negative terminal to the connection J².
No. 4 lamp has its positive terminal connected to the contact stud and its
negative terminal to the connection J³.

page_text: No. 5 lamp has its positive terminal connected to the contact stud D' and its
negative terminal to the connection J³.
The current passing round the coil of the electro magnet A to No. 1 lamp tends
to attract the armatures B. B B³. B
The springs E¹ Eª E³ E' arc_so_adjusted that when a current only sufficient to
work the lamp No. 1 is passing, the magnet has not sufficient power to overcome
any of them, but a current in excess of that required for the lamp No. 1 immediately
draws down the armature B' and causes the contact lever C¹ to make contact with
the contact stud D' shunting part of the current through the second lamp
connected up to the contact stud D¹.
A current in excess of that required for the lamps Nos. 1 and 2 at once draws
down the armature C² &c. shunting part of the current through the lamp No. 3
connected up to the contact stud D.
A continued increase of current causing the levers C³ and C' to make contact
with their studs in a similar manner, thus throwing the lamps Nos. 4 and 5 into
action in succession.
This mechanism can be used for the same purposes as that with a single lever;
and can also be used for shunting currents into resistance coils, secondary circuits
and branch mains.
Having thus described the nature of my said Invention and the manner of per-
forming the same I would have it clearly understood that I do not claim two or
more carbon filaments in one globe. But what I do claim is-
First. The combination with an incandescent lamp containing two or more
filaments of a regulator directing any additional current over and above that
required for a single filament into the additional filament or filaments substantially
as described.
Second. The combination of two or more electric lamps with a regulator directing
any additional current over and above that required for a single lamp into another
lamp or lamps substantially as described.
Third. My improved apparatus for electric lighting substantially as described and
represented in the annexed Drawings.
In witness whereof I the said Andrew Mackie have hereunto set my hand
and seal this First day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
A. MACKIE. (L.S.)