Improvements in Regulating Sockets or Fixtures for Incandescent Electric Lamps and other Translating Devices, and in Methods of Regulating or Controlling the Flow of Current to such Lamps and other devices.
Year: 1892

page_text: Date of Application (in United Kingdom), 14th Jan., 1892
Complete Specification Left, 14th Jan., 1892-Accepted, 2nd July, 1892
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Regulating Sockets or Fixtures for Incandescent
Electric Lamps and other Translating Devices, and in Methods
of Regulating or Controlling the Flow of Current to such Lamps
and other devices.
I, ELIAS ELKAN RIES, of the City of Baltimore, in the State of Maryland,
one of the United States of America, Electrician, 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 has reference to regulating sockets, holders, or fixtures for
alternating or intermittent current incandescent electric lamps and other electrica!
translating devices in which the intensity of the light emitted by the lamp or other
device is varied by setting up or inducing within the lamp socket itself, or within
the holder or fixture containing the translating device, a variable counter electro-
motive force or current tending to oppose to a greater or less extent, as desired, the
flow of current to the lamp or other translating device, and thus permit the degree
of incandescence of the lamp filament or the amount of current flowing to the
translating device, to be readily, effectively, and economically controlled.
The object of my invention is, broadly speaking, to provide a socket or holder
for incandescent lamps and other translating devices so arranged and controlled, .
that the amount of electric energy supplied to the lamp or other device, may be
varied at will without the waste of energy that has heretofore characterized the
operation of sockets in which resistance wires or other current consuming devices
were employed, and whereby the brilliancy of any individual lamp may be controlled
at the lamp itself without regard to or in any manner interfering with the flow of
current to the other lamps or translating devices on the same circuit. By means
of my invention incandescent electric lamps may be economically burned at any
desired candle power, from a barely perceptible glow, consuming about of the
normal current, up to the full candle power of the lamp, thus enabling the consumer
to save a very large amount of current that would otherwise be wasted, beside giving
him the convenience of turning down his incandescent light in the same manner as
with gas, and removing many of the objections heretofore incident to the installation
and use of the incandescent light.
My invention consists, broadly, in providing a lamp socket or fixture with a
self-induction or reaction coil of suitable construction, of compact and efficient
form and so combined with the operating mechanism of said socket or fixture,
as to permit the consumer to turn on the lamp and gradually or successively
increase the current flowing to the same until it reaches the desired candle power,
and vice versa.
The reaction coil may be of any desired type so long as its construction is such
as to permit of carrying out the objects set forth, and I have shown in the accom-
panying drawings a number of different forms of such reaction coils and several
different methods of connecting the same with reference to the lamp and supply
circuits respectively.

page_text: I therefore do not desire to limit myself to any specific form of reaction
coil socket or fixture, or to any particular method of regulating the current,
so long at the same embodies the generic features of my invention as herein set
forth.
Referring to the drawings accompanying this Specification, I have shown on
Sheet 1 one generic form of my invention, in which the regulation of the current
supplied to the lamp or other translating device is effected by movement of the
socket containing such lamp or other device. In this case the socket is provided
with a coil of insulated wire, F, preferably of copper or other good conductor,
and connected in series with the lamp filament by means of the contact terminal
springs C & D of the lamp socket. A laminated soft iron core I, attached to the
stationary support K of the socket, is located within the coil A, which latter is
capable of sliding over the core 1 and can be held in any desired position over
the same by means of frictional springs or brushes a, a, or contact making
brushes =, and (Fig. 3A) engaging with the core. When the laminated core I
is entirely within the coil F, the alternating or intermittent currents flowing
around the coil on their way through the lamp or other device set up an
alternating field or other lines of force within the core, which in turn set up an
induced or secondary electromotive force or current in the wire of the coil sur-
rounding the core. This current flows around the coil in an opposite direction to
that of the inducing current, and constitutes what is known in the art as a secondary
or counter-electromotive force, which opposes the direct electromotive force and
thus prevents in a large measure the flow of current to the lamp filament, so that
the latter will be entirely dark or burn at a very low degree of incandescence,
according to the length of the active wire in the coil. As the lamp is drawn down-
wardly into a position where an increased amount of light is desired, a portion of
the coil F is removed from inductive proximity to the core 1, the current flowing
therethrough being thereby opposed to a less extent, thus increasing the supply of
current to the lamp filament. The brilliancy of the lamp, with a given electro-
motive force in the main supply circuit, therefore depends upon the position the
lamp occupies with respect to its core, and the transition from one stage of light to
the next, or from the lowest to the highest, is, in this particular type of my
invention, perfectly even, gradual and regular. The laminated core 1 may be
either hollow, solid or divided as shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3 respectively, this
depending upon the particular method employed for maintaining connection between
the moving coil and the supply circuit. In most cases I construct the lamp socket
in such a manner (shown more particularly in Figs. 3, 34, 3, and 3 of Sheet 1)
that when the core I has passed beyond the point of lowest light, the circuit to
the lamp filament is opened at the contact springs and at the point Os
(Fig. 3) and the light thereby entirely extinguished; and that when the core I
is fully withdrawn from the solenoid the latter is short-circuited by these springs
at the point so that the flow of current will be direct to the lamp as shown in
the diagram Fig. 34, without passing through the now inactive coil, so that the
lamp will then glow at its greatest brilliancy. This I accomplish by constituting
the divided portions of the core I the terminals of the supply conductors H, H
and by enveloping said core with a slotted insulating and separating tube M through
which the sliding brushes +, and are permitted to act. The shell F, enclosing
the socket, should, if made of metal, be slotted to avoid the circulation of induced
currents therein, although this shell may be made of insulating material not
subject to inductive action. In some instances I prefer to make this enclosing shell
⚫ of sheet iron, suitably plated or otherwise ornamented, in which case it serves to
complete the magnetic circuit of the core through a pair of semicircular iron
disks r, and gg at the top and bottom of the coil F respectively. It will of
course be understood that in using this type of my invention, I do not limit myself
to moving the lamp or coil in order to regulate the light, but may also produce the
same result by moving the core alone, the lamp coil being stationary, and in other
ways. Neither is it necessary that the construction of the core and solenoid should

page_text: be precisely as illustrated, as many other modifications than those shown may be
employed by me to produce the same results.
On Sheet 2 of the accompanying drawings I have illustrated another type of my
invention. In this case the lamp socket or fixture is provided with a small reaction
or counter-electromotive force coil in the form of a closed laminated iron ring, a,
wound with a number of separate lengths or coils, m, of insulating conducting wire.
In this case both the core and the winding are stationary, but the ends of the coils
constituting the winding are connected to a series of terminals in such a manner
that the coils are ordinarily connected in series, as shown in the diagram view,
Fig. 2, these terminals being so mounted upon a suitable insulating block or disk, C,
contained within and forming part of the lamp socket or fixture, as to be in the
path of a switch arm N, arranged and adapted to include more or less of the coil
section in the lamp circuit, according as a less or greater amount of light is desired.
or to extinguish the light altogether. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 of this
sheet, the establishment and regulation of the flow of current to the lamp is effected
by turning the lamp itself, or the socket or shade in connection with which it is
used, around its axis, no key or similar device being employed for this purpose.
The construction and operation of the device will be clear from the detailed drawings
to any one skilled in the art without further description. The regulation of the light
in this type of lamp socket or fixture is in the nature of a step by-step action, as
distinguished from the smooth action of the movable core socket shown on Sheet I,
the number of steps depending upon the number of separate sections or lengths into
which the winding is divided.
Figs. 6 and 7 of Sheet 2 illustrate in diagram two additional modifications of
my invention, by which the electromotive force and consequently the current,
supplied to the. lamp or other device, may not only be varied from zero to the
normal or maximum E.M.F. of the supply current, as in the case of the lamp
socket already described, but also increased to any desired extent above the normal
electromotive force supplied by the main circuit, notwithstanding any drop of
potential in the mains, or a lamp or other translating device of high resistance may
be operated from a socket connected between the terminals of a low voltage
circuit, or lamps may be burned above their normal candle power whenever desired,
the candle power developed being rendered by means of this arrangement entirely
independent of the potential existing on the supply circuit. This result, as clearly
shown in the diagram, I obtain by dividing the winding of the coil into two sections
at the point b', and by including one of these sections permanently either in the
lamp circuit as in Fig. 6, or in the supply circuit as in Fig. 7, the other sections
being, together with part of the first section, included in the path of the switch
arm N.
When the latter is moved to one side of the point 6, the electromotive
force supplied to the translating device is diminished below, and when moved over
the terminals on the other side of this point it is increased above the normal, as
indicated by the. numerals 0 to 70, the normal electromotive force of the supply
circuit being 50. The sweep of the arm N is limited by an adjustable stop p
that may be placed in any one of a number of holes P in the disk C, so that any
desired increase of potential above the normal may be obtained to suit the require-
ments of the lamp or other.translating device in use.
The winding of this coil acts as a converter, the inducing and induced currents
both flowing through the same coil, and the E.M.F. of the two currents being
proportionate to the length of active wire in the inducing and induced circuits,
respectively, as determined by the position of the regulating switch arm N. It will
be understood that this novel arrangement is applicable not only to lamp sockets
and fixtures, but for many other purposes, and I therefore do not desire to restrict
myself to its use in connection with lamp sockets alone. In Fig. 6, I have shown
in dotted lines a number of incandescent lamps or translating devices: controlled
5 simultaneously by means of this "potential-increasing regulator" as an example of
one of the many additional uses to which I may apply the same.
It will be seen from the foregoing that my invention may assume a great variety

page_text: of forms, and while I have shown a number of different generic types of the same
- there are many others that will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and
which I may employ without departing from the scope of my said invention, and I
do not therefore limit myself to the precise forms herein shown, nor to the particular
types of lamp sockets in connection with which I have illustrated and described the
same.
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 herein described method and apparatus for regulating and controlling the
degree of incandescence of electric lamps, substantially as and for the purpose
herein set forth.
2. A socket for incandescent electric lamps, etc., provided with a counter
electromotive force device operating to reduce the potential of the current passing
through the socket to the lamp or other translating device.
•
3. A socket for incandescent electric lamps, etc., provided with a self inductive
resistance in series with the lamp filament or other translating device, and means
for varying the degree of self-induction of said resistance.
4. A regulating socket for incandescent electric lamps, etc., provided with a
counter electro-motive force coil or reaction device, and means for varying the
counter electro-motive force generated by the said coil or device.
5. A regulating socket for incandescent electric lamps and other translating
devices having a counter electro-motive force coil or reaction device normally
in series with the lamp filament or other device, and provided with means for
varying the counter electro-motive force or current generated by the said coil or
device.
6. A regulating socket for incandescent electric lamps and other translating
devices, said socket having a reaction coil or counter electro-motive force
generator normally in series with the lamp filament or other device and a switching
device for varying the amount of electro-motive force generated and for cutting out
or short circuiting the said generator or coil.
7. A regulating socket for incandescent electric lamps, and other translating
devices, said socket having a reaction coil or counter electro-motive force generator
normally in series with the lamp filament or other device and having a switching
device operated by a movement of the lamp or lamp holder itself for varying the
amount of counter electro-motive force generated.
a
8. A socket or holder for incandescent electric lamps and other translating
devices supplied with alternating or intermittent currents, the same comprising
contact-making receptacle or holder for the translating device secured to a suitable
base or support, a reaction coil or counter electro-motive force generator also
secured to the said base or support and so arranged as to be included in the circuit
of the translating device, an enclosing shell for the receptacle, base and reaction
coil, and means for varying the amount of counter electro-motive, force or current
generated by the said reaction coil or generator, substantially as set forth.
9. A socket or holder for incandescent electric lamps and other translating devices
supplied with alternating or intermittent currents, the same comprising a suitable
holder for the translating device, a reaction or counter electro-motive force coil
attached to and forming part of said holder, and wound in sections varying in their
electrical resistance, electrical connections between the said coil and the translating
device, whereby when said device is put into operation the coil will become active,
and means for successively rendering the sections of the coil active or inactive.
10. In a regulating socket for translating devices operated by alternating or
intermittent currents, the combination, with the circuit wires and the translating
device, of a counter electro-motive force coil forming part of said socket
and connected in series with the translating device, a shunt or short circuiting
connection of low resistance around said coil, and a core movable with respect to

page_text: the coil and arranged to short circuit the latter when withdrawn, substantially as-
set forth.
11. In a regulating socket for incandescent electric lamps etc., the combination
with the pivoted lamp holder or receptacle, of a switching device arranged and
adapted to close the lamp circuit and to vary the brilliancy of the lamp, upon
moving or rotating the lamp or its holder about its axis, substantially as described..
12. A regulating socket for alternating current incandescent lamps and other
translating devices, the same comprising lamp holding receptacle or casing
containing a magnetizable core having a winding divided into sections, a series of
contact terminals within the said casing to which the ends of the sections are
connected, and a switch, also supported within said casing, designed and adapted to
traverse said contacts and to include more or less of the said sections in circuit,
substantially as set forth.
13. A socket for incandescent electric lamps, comprising a lamp holder or
receptacle, an enclosing case for same, and a closed iron ring or core within said
case, provided with a self inductive winding designed and adapted to be included in.
circuit with the lamp when the latter is placed in its holder.
14. A socket for incandescent electric lamps, said socket being provided with a
closed iron ring or core wound with insulated wire arranged and adapted to be
included in series with the lamp, and with a switch for opening and closing the
lamp circuit through said winding.
15. A socket for incandescent electric lamps, provided with a closed iron ring or
core, said core having a winding divided into a number of sections the ends of which
are brought to a series of contact terminals arranged within the lamp socket, and a
switch forming part of the socket and arranged and adapted to include more or less.
of said sections in the lamp circuit.
16. A regulating apparatus for alternating current incandescent lamps and other
translating devices, the same comprising a magnetizable core having a winding
arranged to be connected across the terminals of the supply and translating circuits,.
a series of contacts to which intermediate portions of the winding are connected,
and a switch arranged and adapted to vary the length of the winding included in
the supply and translating circuits, respectively, substantially as set forth.
17. A potential or current regulating apparatus for alternating current
incandescent lamps and other translating devices, the same comprising a reaction.
or counter electro-motive force coil having one end of its winding permanently
connected with both the supply and translating circuits, a switch for cutting in and.
out more or less of the winding of the oil, and an intermediate connection between
the coil and the other side of the supply or translating circuit, in that portion of
the coil traversed by the switch, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.
18. A socket for incandescent electric lamps having au iron ring, wound with
lengths of insulated wire, a series of contacts or terminals to which the ends of said
lengths are connected and a key or switch arranged to traverse said terminals and.
thereby include more or less of said lengths in the lamp circuit, substantially as-
described.
19. The method of varying the brilliancy of an incandescent electric lamp, which
consists in establishing or producing within the lamp socket or holder itself, a
counter electro-motive force or current in opposition to the direct electromotive
force or current supplied to the lamp, and in varying the opposing electro-motive
force or current in accordance with the amount of light desired.
20. The herein described method of electric lighting, which consists in normally
subjecting the lamp filament to two opposing electro motive forces, and in producing.
the desired degree of light by subjecting the lamp to the action of the current
established by varying the strength of one of the said electro-motive forces with
respect to the other.
21. The method of varying the brilliancy of individual incandescent electric
lamps operated by alternating currents, which consists in generating by induction
within the lamp socket itself a counter electro-motive force tending to oppose the:

page_text: flow of current through the lamp filament, and in increasing or diminishing the
amount of counter electro-motive force so generated by correspondingly increasing
or diminishing the length of wire within, said socket subjected to inductive action.
22. The method of varying the brilliancy of an incandescent electric lamp
operated by alternating currents, which consists in establishing within the lamp
socket itself a field of alternating polarity, and in causing said field to generate a
variable counter electro-motive force serving to oppose to a greater or less extent, as
desired, the flow of current passing through the socket to the lamp filament.
23. The method of varying the brilliancy of or the energy developed by an
incandescent lamp or other translating device, which consists in automatically
increasing and diminishing the flow of current to the same by and in accordance with
the degree of movement of the lamp or translating device to and from the position
in which the maximum light or energy given by it is to be utilized.
24. The method of varying the brilliancy of an incandescent electric lamp
operated by alternating currents, which consists in subjecting the current flowing to
the lamp to a greater or less self-inductive action while passing through the socket
containing the lamp.
25. The method of feeding incandescent lamps and other translating devices with
alternating currents, which consists, first, in passing the current over a conductor
located in an alternating magnetic field established by itself; second, in causing
said field to set up a counter electro-motive force or current in the said conductor;
third, in supplying the lamp or translating device with the current induced in said
conductor or a portion thereof, and fourth, in varying or regulating the supply of
current to the said device by including a greater or less length of said conductor in
the translating circuit.
26. The method of feeding incandescent lamps and other devices with alternating
currents, which consists in passing the current along or over the winding of a self-
induction, reaction, or counter electro-motive force coil so as to set up a
counter E.M.F. therein, and in supplying the lamp or translating device or devices
with current by constituting the same part of a shunt circuit around a portion of
the said winding.
27. The method of increasing the potential of the current supplied to incandescent
electric lamps and other translating devices from a constant potential supply
circuit, which consists in causing said current to flow through a given length of a
self-inductive coil or winding, and in including the translating device or devices in
a circuit embracing a greater length of the same winding, substantially as set forth.
28. The method of increasing and diminishing the potential of the current
supplied to alternating current incandescent lamps and other translating devices
from a constant potential supply circuit, which cousists in transmitting said current
through a given length of a self-inductive or counter electro-motive force coil or
winding, in causing the E.M.F. induced in the said winding or a portion thereof
to flow through the said translating device or devices, and in varying the potential
of the current supplied to said translating devices, at will, by increasing or
diminishing the length of the winding included between the terminals of the supply
or the translating circuits, substantially as set forth.
In testimony whereof I have signed my name and affixed my seal, this 31st day
of December 1891, at Baltimore, Md., U.S.A.
In presence of :-
LEW. G. GREENSFELDE.
LEOPOLD RIES.
i
ELIAS ELKAN RIES
Seal