IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC ARC LAMPS
Year: 1884

page_text: I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL. of N° 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lano,
in the county of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of the said invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC ARC
LAMPS" to be as follows:-
This invention has for its object to simplify the construction of electric arc
lamps, and to produce a more constant light therefrom.
The accompanying drawings shew the construction of the lamp; fig. 1 shews a
vertical section of the same on line 1-2 fig. 2; fig. 2 shews a plan of the lamp, the
cover being removed; fig 3 shews an end view of the circuit closer in the raised
position; fig. 4 shews an end view of the same in the lowered or reversed position.
For the sake of clearness, fig 1 shews only one pair of the five pairs of carbons
shewn in fig. 2, with the parts belonging thereto. The number of these carbon
pairs can be varied.
Similar parts are indicated by similar lotters of reference. A is the cover or
casing enclosing the mechanism of the lamp; B is the base plate of marble,
porcelain &c, on which are fixed the insulated metal parts of the lamp; C are
uprights which serve, among other purposes, as holders for the outer stationary.
carbons a.
Dare circuit closers capable of moving to and fro on pivots 6 on the
uprights C and having at their upper ends forks c, the hooked ends of which carry
short thin pieces of wire d, which, in bearing against the lower ends of the carbons,
hold the circuit closers in the position shewn. E and E¹ are brackets carrying contact
pieces e and e¹ (figs. 2, 3 and 4) which are pressed by means of springs f against
the broad ends g of the circuit closer, that moves with some friction between them;
h are springs that, when the wire stops d are burnt through, throw the circuit
closers D back into their lowest position shown in dotted lines at fig 1; F are
uprights carrying the carbon holders G of the inner carbons k such holders being
capable of rocking on pivots; i; l are setting screws which pass through the arms m
of the carbon holders and serve to regulate the inclination of the inner carbons k
D
C

page_text: to the outer fixed carbons a; n are weights situated upon rods o screwed into the
arms m and which serve as counterpoises to the carbon holders G; H the wire coils
of the electro magnet or solenoid; I the iron core of the same, provided with a
disc p; Jan upright carrying the axis q of a double ended weighted lever K, the
outer end of which carries a moveable weight L, serving to balance the iron core I,
which is suspended from the other end of the lever K by the pin r; M a metal
ring, serving as base for all the uprights F, whereby these are all in electrical
connection with each other, and to any point of which the one end of the coil H
is connected by a pinching screw 8, the other end of the coil being connected by
a nut V to the extension of the clamp N for the one terminal of the circuit of the
dynamo-electric machine; the other terminal of which is held by the clamp O
secured by the nut W, so as to be in electrical connection with the bracket E;
P are metal plates by which the brackets E and E¹ are electrically connected; x is
a notch in the disc p to enable the screws to be conveniently adjusted.
The action of the lamp is as follows: Before the lamp is lighted, all the circuit
closers D are in the raised position, being held by the wire stops d in electrical
contact with the holders C of the outer carbons a; the core I with its disc p is also
in the raised position, so that the upper ends of the carbons a and k are in contact.
In lighting the lamp the electric current entering at the clamp O passes through
the bracket E, fig. 2, contact e, and circuit closer D to the socket C of the first
outer carbon a; it then passes through the upper ends of the carbons into the inner
carbon k, thence through the upright F fig 1, ring M and the pinching screw 8 into
the wire t of the coil or solenoid H, from which the current passes through the
clamp to the other terminal of the outer circuit. Upon the passage of the current
through the coil H, the core I is drawn inwards thereby, and the disc p is caused
to press with its under face upon the heads of the screws 1, whereby the upper ends
of the carbons k, carried by the pivotted carbon holders G, are caused to move
away from the upper ends of the outer fixed carbons a. In the first instance, when
the distance between the points of the carbons a and k is exceedingly small, the
electric spark passing across, heats the air situated between them, and increases its
conductivity; but as soon as the current passing through the coil increases, and the
core I is consequently drawn further into the coil, the carbon points a and kare
moved farther apart, thereby producing the voltaic arc. As before stated, the
extent of the inclination of the inner pivotted carbous to the outer fixed carbons a,
and consequently the amount of light given by the lamp can be regulated by
the screws L. The movement of the carbons a and k to and from each other
corresponds exactly with all phases of the development of the voltaic arc.
Great uniformity of the light produced is effected by the perfect balancing of the
carbon holders G, in consequence whereof, the iron core I and disc p are enabled
to move the inner carbons k to or from the outer carbons a with a very sensitive
action in accordance with the influence of the electric current; also, by the
balancing of the core I by means of the weighted lever K, any sudden or jerky
motion of the core and consequently of the carbons is effectually prevented
which jerky action produces such an unpleasant effect in most lamps of present
construction.
When the carbons have burnt down to the point where the wire stop d rests
against them, this wire will be burnt through, whereupon the circuit closer D will
be thrown back by the spring h into the position shown in dotted lines in fig 1.
The clectric current then passes from the bracket E into the bracket E¹ (fig. 2) and
thence through the metal plate P to the bracket E and socket C of the outer carbon
of the next pair, whereupon this pair of carbons is brought into action in the same
manner as above described, their outer ends having been previously brought into
contact by the momentary weakening of the current passing through the lamp.
As shewn in figs. 3 and 4, the lower broader part g of the circuit closers D has a
piece of insulating material y-z let into it, and each of the screws R (figs 1 an 1 2)
is insulated from the circuit closers D. In consequence hereof, when the circuit

page_text: closers D are in the raised position (fig 3) the electric current cannot pass from the
brackets E to the brackets E¹, but when, owing to the burning of the wire stops d,
the circuit closers are thrown into the lowest position (fig 4) the part g establishes
an electrical connection between the contact pieces e and e¹, thus enabling the
current to pass from E to E¹.
•
.
On the burning down of the second pair of carbons, the circuit closer of this pair
is also thrown back, and in establishing the electrical contact with the bracket E of
the next pair, immediate'y causes these to be brought into action, and so on, until
the circuit closer of the last pair of carbons conducts the current direct to the
clamp N. Thus it is only after, all the carbons are consumed that the lamp is
extinguished and cut out of circuit.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant,
28, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.

page_text: "
I, CHARLES DENTON ABEL of N° 28 Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane
in the County of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer and Patent Agent do hereby
declare the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC ARC LAMPS'
and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
This invention has for its object to simplify the construction of electric arc
lamps, and to produce a more constant light therefrom.
The accompanying drawing shews the construction of the lamp; Fig. 1 shews
a vertical section of the same on line. 1-2 Fig. 2; Fig. 2 shows a plan of the lamp,
the cover being removed; Fig. 3 shews an end view of the circuit closer in the
raised position; Fig. 4 shews an end view of the same in the lowered or reversed
position.
For the sake of clearness Fig. 1 shews only one pair of the five pairs of carbons
shewn in Fig. 2; with the parts belonging thereto. The number of these carbon
pairs can be varied.
Similar parts are indicated by similar letters of reference. A is the cover or
casing, enclosing the mechanism of the lamp; B is the base plate of marble,
porcelain &c, on which are fixed the insulated metal parts of the lamp; C are
uprights which serve, among other purposes as holders for the outer stationary
carbons a. D are circuit closers capable of moving to and fro on pivots b on the
uprights C, and having at their upper ends forks c the hooked ends of which carry
short thin pieces of wire d, which in bearing against the lower ends of the carbons,
hold the circuit closers in the position shewn. E and E¹ are brackets carrying
contact pieces e and e¹ (Figs. 2, 3 and 4) which are pressed by means of springs f
against the broad ends g of the circuit closer that moves with some friction between
them; hare springs that, when the wire stops d are burnt through, throw the
circuit closers D back into their lowest position shewn in dotted lines at Fig. 1;
F are uprights carrying the carbon holders G of the inner carbons k, such holders
being capable of rocking on pivots, i. l are setting screws which pass through the
arms m of the carbon holders and serve to regulate the inclination of the inner
carbonsk to the outer fixed carbons a; n are weights situated upon rods o screwed
into the arms m and which serve as counterpoises to the carbon holders G; H the
wire coils of the electro-magnet or solenoid; I the iron core of the same, provided
with a disc p; J an upright carrying the axis q of a double ended weighted lever K,
the outer end of which carries a moveable weight L serving to balance the iron
core I, which is suspended from the other end of the lever K by the pin r;
M a metal ring serving as base for all the uprights F, whereby these are all in
electrical connection with each other, and to any point of which the one end t of
the coil H is connected by a pinching screw 8, the other end of the coil u being
connected by a nut V to the extension of the clamp N for the one terminal of the
circuit of the dynamo-electric machine, the other terminal of which is held by the
clamp O, secured by the nut W so as to be in electrical connection with the
bracket E; P are metal plates by which the brackets E and E' are electrically
connected; x is a notch in the disc p to enable the screws 1 to be conveniently
connected.
The action of the lamp is as follows:-Before the lamp is lighted, all the circuit
closers D are in raised position, being held by the wire stops d in electrical contact
with the holders C of the outer carbons a; the core I with its disc p is also in the

page_text: raised position so that the upper ends of the carbons a and k are in contact. In
lighting the lamp the electric current entering through the clamp O paasses through
the bracket E Fig. 2 contact e and circuit closer D to the socket C of the first outer
carbon a; it then passes through the upper ends of the carbons into the inner
carbon k, thence through the upright F. Fig. 1, ring M and the pinching screw 8
into the wire t of the coil or solenoid H, from which the current passes through the
clamp to the other terminal of the outer circuit. Upon the passage of the current
through the coil H the core I is drawn inwards thereby, and the disc p is caused to
press with its under face upon the heads of the screws l, whereby the upper ends of
the carbons k, carried by the pivotted carbon holders G, are caused to move away
from the upper ends of the outer fixed carbons a. In the first instance when the
distance between the points of the carbons a and k.is exceedingly small, the electric
spark passing across heats the air situated between them, and increases its
conductivity; but as soon as the current passing through the coil increases, and the
core I is consequently drawn further into the coil, the carbon points a and k are
moved farther apart, thereby producing the voltaic arc.
As before stated, the extent of the inclination of the inner pivotted carbons k to
the outer fixed carbons a, and consequently the amount of light given by the lamp
can be regulated by the screws l. The movement of the carbons a and k to and
from each other corresponds exactly with all phases of the development of the
voltaic arc. Great uniformity of the light produced is effected by the perfect
balancing of the carbon holders G, in consequence whereof the iron. core I and
p are enabled to move the inner carbons k to or from the outer carbons a with
a very sensitive action in accordance with the influence of the electric current; also
by the balancing of the core I by means of the weighted lever K any sudden or
jerky motion of the core and consequently of the carbons is effectually prevented,
which jerky action produces such an unpleasant effect in most lamps of present
disc
construction.
When the carbens have burnt down to the point where the wire stop rests
against them, this wire will be burnt through, whereupon the circuit closer D will
be thrown back by the spring h into the position shewn in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
The electric current then passes from the bracket E into the bracket F¹ (Fig. 2)
and thence through the metal plate P to the bracket E and socket C of the outer
carbon of the next pair, whereupon this pair of carbons is brought into action in
the same manner as above described, their outer ends having been previously
brought into contact by the momentary weakening of the current passing through
the lamp.
As shewn in Figs. 3 and 4, the lower broader part g of the circuit closers D has
a piece of insulating material y-z let into it, and each of the screws R (Figs. 1
and 2) is insulated from the circuit closers D. In consequence hereof, when the
circuit closers D are in the raised position (Fig. 3) the electric current cannot pass
from the brackets E to the brackets E¹, but when, owing to the burning of the wire
stops d, the circuit closers are thrown into the lowest position (Fig. 4) the part g
establishes an electrical connection between the contact pipes e and e¹ thus enabling
the current to pass from E to E¹.
On the burning down of the second pair of carbons, the circuit closer of this pair
is also thrown back and in establishing the electrical contact with the bracket Ė of
the next pair immediately causes these to be brought into action, and so on, until
the circuit closer of the last pair of carbons conducts the current direct to the
clamp N. Thus it is only after all the carbons are consumed that the lamp is
extinguished and cut out of the circuit.
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 :-
First. In electric arc lamps the combination of the core I of the electro-magnet
or solenoid, balanced by the weighted lever K, with the rocking carbon holder Ğ of
the inner carbons k.

page_text: Second. In electric arc lamps the combination of the iron core I of the electro-
magnet or solenoid, with the dise p acting upon the arms m of the rocking carbon
holders G of the inner carbons k, for the purpose of moving these away from the
outer fixed carbons a.
Third. In electric arc lamps the rocking carbon holders G for the inner carbons k,
balanced by means of weights n on the arms m, and electrically connected by their
uprights F and the ring M carrying the same with the one end t of the coil of the
electro-magnet or solenoid.
Fourth. In electric arc lamps the combination of the rocking carbon holders G of
the inner carbons k with the regulating screws 7 serving to regulate the degree of
inclination of the inner carbons to the outer fixed carbons a.
Fifth. In electric arc lamps, the automatic circuit closers D rocking on horizontal
axes in combination on the one hand with the uprights C of the carbon holders of
the outer fixed carbons a, and with the springs h, and, on the other hand both with
the brackets E which conduct the electric current to the outer carbons a, as also
with the brackets E' by means of which the electric current is conducted through
the plate P from the one pair of carbons to the other, or direct to the clamp N
leading to the outer circuit.
Sixth. The general construction and mode of operating of the electric arc lamp
herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
Noted this 96th day of November 1884
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant,
28, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.
ABEL & IMRAY,
-
Agents for the Applicant,
28, Southampton Buildings,
London, W.C.