IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Blanch Brain, of St. John's Wood, in the County
of Middlesex, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE
PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
Sealed the 28th February 1879, and dated the 14th December 1878.
"
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Blanch Brain at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 14th December 1878.
WILLIAM BLANCH BRAIN, of St. John's Wood, in the County of Middlesex.
IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF
ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
According to this Invention for the production of electricity, I use a soft iron ring
furnished with an insulated copper helix, the soft iron ring is composed of soft iron
wire wound into the form of a flat ring that has its greatest dimension radially,
the axis of the ring is by preference horizontal, the ring is made to revolve between
two electro magnets or sets of electro magnets, the north poles of which are made to
almost envelope the upper part of the ring, and the south poles similarly the lower
part of the ring in such a manner that only a small portion of the insulated wire
escapes, coming in very close proximity to the inducing magnets.
According to a modified arrangement, I wind the insulated copper helix on the
whole length of the iron, the ring being as just described, but with its greatest
dimension axially, and the iron ring I produce from iron wire wound on a brass or
other suitable spindle. The insulated copper wire helix is enclosed in a brass tube
which is fitted to an iron tube of about double the length; on the iron tube is
wound an insulated copper wire helix in such a manner as to form the centre of
the tube into two poles of a magnet of the same polarity, and the two ends of the
tube into two poles of the opposite polarity; the brass spindle is made to work
backwards and forwards in the iron tube, carrying with it the helix, the tubular
iron core and the brass tube; through this movement a current of electricity is

page_text: developed, which by means of suitable connections is made available as required,
either as a continuous or alternating current. Several of these appliances may by
means of connecting rods and cranks or other mechanical devices, be connected
either for tension or for quantity of electricity, or one or two may be connected to
a battery or other electric source, so as to be applicable as a motor for drilling, rock
boring, and other reciprocating or revolving appliances, say, in a manner similar to
a compressed air or steam cylinder. In this manner I obtain a double action, that
is, the armatures are simultaneously attracted by one magnet and repelled by the
other.
The electric force thus developed or generated is made use of for electric light in
the following manner :-
Three or more carbon or other electrodes are used for making up the positive
pole of the electric light; they are placed horizontally or nearly so, and so that their
points meet; they are by preference radial and at the same angles; they may be
propelled towards their common centre as required by any suitable and well known
means; but I prefer weights and cords or wires passing over pulleys; the negative
pole is similarly made up of three or more carbon or other electrodes, by preference
of smaller diameter, and placed directly underneath the positive carbons, and so as
to come intermediate or bisecting the angles formed by the upper carbons; or the
two sets of carbons may be placed vertically side by side instead of horizontally.
The voltaic arc will be formed between the centres of the two sets of carbons, and
may be regulated by means of a solenoid or electro magnet automatically, or by set
screw.
Or instead of two horizontal or two vertical sets of carbons as described, I may
use a horizontal set traversed by a vertical set of carbons, the one not touching the
other. With this view the number of carbons in the one set touching each others'
ends, must be sufficient to form a space in the centre for the other set to pass
through, this latter set being by preference formed of two carbons, only meeting at
the centre, or one lower carbon rod may be used pressing against an upper carbon
block. I use an automatic or other contact appliance for starting; such automatic
appliance may be an electro magnet in conjunction with a counter balance.
I use a peculiar electro magnet for withdrawing the carbons after making
contact; it is made in hinge form with an aperture passing transversely through it,
the north and south poles forming a jaw or clamp; the carbon passes through the
aforesaid aperture, and through the jaws of the clamps on a current passing through
the helix of the magnet, its jaws are drawn together and grasp the carbon, and a
small armature placed above the jaws attracts the magnet together with the carbon.
Two of these clamps are arranged opposite one another, each carrying a carbon
which are pressed together by weights or other suitable means; on contact being
formed, the current brings the electro magnets into action, and the carbons are
separated to the required distance. Two such carbons may be arranged obliquely
at right angles, horizontally or vertically, so as to fix the light in any required
position.
For a light working by incandescent electrodes, several of the aforesaid arrange-
ments may be adapted. I may also arrange two blocks of carbon or metal in close
proximity to each other, and with two small carbon rods placed across them and
meeting at the centre, being pressed together by weights or other suitable means,
the blocks may be regulated as to distance apart, and thereby regulate the length
of the incandescent part of the carbon rods.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and of
an order of the Lord Chanceller, filed by the said William Blanch Brain in
the Great Seal Patent Office on the 5th July 1879.
WILLIAM BLANCH BRAIN, of St. John's Wood, in the County of Middlesex.
"IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR THE PRODUCTION AND APPLICATION OF
ELECTRICITY FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
According to this Invention for the production of electricity I use a soft iron ring
furnished with an insulated copper helix. The soft iron ring is composed of soft
iron plates or wire wound into the form of a flat ring, that has its greatest dimension
radially. The axis of the ring is by preference horizontal. The ring is made to
revolve between two electro magnets or sets of electro magnets, the north poles of
which are made to almost envelope the upper part of the ring, and the south poles
similarly the under part of the ring, or the reverse, in such a manner that only a
small portion of the insulated wire on the ring escapes coming in very close
proximity to the inducing magnets and the inducing insulated wire of the same, as
shewn hereafter at Figures 4 and 5, the north and south poles of each set being
arranged consecutively around the ring, the commutators being fixed between
them.
The number of commutators being regulated by the number of poles formed by
the magnets or sets of magnets, and as hereafter shewn on the Drawings.
According to a modified arrangement I wind the insulated copper helix on the
whole length of the iron, the ring being as just described, but with its greatest
dimension axially, and the iron ring I produce from iron wire or thin plates of iron
wound on a brass or other suitable spindle. The insulated copper wire helix is
enclosed in a brass tube, which is fitted to an iron tube of about double the length.
On the wire tube is wound an insulated copper wire helix in such a manner as to
form the centre of the tube into two poles of a magnet of the same polarity; or
instead of one tube two flat tubes, one on each side. The brass spindle is made to
work backwards and forwards in the iron tube, carrying with it the helix, the
tubular iron core, and the brass tube. Through this movement a current of
electricity is developed, which by means of suitable connections is made available
either as a continuous or alternating current. Several of the said appliances may
by means of connecting rods and cranks or other mechanical devices be connected,
either for tension or for quantity of electricity; or one or two may be connected to
a battery or other electric source, so as to be applicable as a motor for drilling, rock
boring, and other reciprocating or revolving appliances, say, in a manner similar to
a compressed air or steam cylinder. In this manner I obtain a double action, that
is, the armatures are simultaneously attracted by one magnet and repelled by the
other.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a longitudinal section of apparatus
constructed according to one arrangement of my Invention for the production of
electricity; Figure 2 is a vertical cross section through line A, A, of Figure 1; and
Figure 3 is a similar view through line B, B, of the same Figure. Similar letters
of reference refer to like parts in all the Figures. a, a, is the soft iron wire or
plates wound up into a ring, as shewn; b is the axis of the ring; c, c, is the insu-
lated copper helix; and d, d, are the electro magnets; e is a wooden boss fixed on
the axis b provided with flat plates f cut out, as shewn separately at Figure 1ª, for
receiving the soft iron wire a. These plates f, the wire a, and the copper helix c
revolve together within the magnets d, as shewn, and are thus as nearly as possible
enveloped by the magnets d; g is the frame, and the driving pulley.
Figure 4 is a vertical section, and Figure 5 a vertical cross section through
line A, A, of Figure 4, of an arrangement wherein the sets of magnets d are
arranged in such manner that the north pole of one magnet abuts against the north
pole of another magnet, and the south poles similarly, thus forming a ring of

page_text: magnets, between which a ring composed of soft iron wire or plates a and insulated
copper helix c rotates or rotate, as described with reference to Figures 1, 2, and 3,
and thus almost every portion of the insulated wire is brought in close proximity
to the inducing magnets and the inducing coils. With this arrangement I employ
4 commutators placed at equal distance from the poles of the magnets d. When
used as motors for transmitting power the diameter of this arrangement is made to
suit the requirements.
Figure 6 is a vertical section, and Figure 7 a vertical cross section through
line A, A, of Figure 6, of another arrangement in which the ring is composed of a
series of magnets a, arranged in sets and carried by a circular plate f fixed on the
shaft b, and held at their outer periphery by a brass ring c. The magnets are
arranged in such a manner that the north poles of one set are on the outer periphery,
and the north poles of the adjacent sets are on the inner periphery. For example,
say there are four sets, as indicated by the dotted lines in Figure 7, and marked
1, 2, 3, and 4. If the north poles of sets Nos. 1 and 3 are on the outer periphery,.
the north poles of sets Nos. 2 and 4 will be on the inner periphery. The electro
magnets d, between which the ring revolves, are made up in the same manner, but
are fixed to the frame g.
Figure 8 is a vertical section of an apparatus applied as a motor for drilling, rock
boring, and other reciprocating or revolving work. Here, the two electro magnets d
and armature a carry the insulated copper helix c, which is made to move up and
down or horizontally between the said magnets d. The arrangement and action is.
similar to that shewn at Figures 4 and 5.
Figure 9 is a vertical section of another arrangement made up of a series of
magnets arranged in sets, as described with reference to Figures 6 and 7.
The electricity developed or generated in the manner before described is made
use of for electric lighting purposes in the following manner :-
Three or more carbon or other electrodes are, according to one modification, used
for making up the positive pole of the electric light. They are placed horizontally,
or nearly so, and so that their points meet. They are by preference radial, and at
the same angles. They may be propelled towards their common centre as required
by any suitable and well known means, but I prefer weights and cords or wires
passing over pulleys. The negative pole is similarly made up of three or more
carbon or other electrodes, by preference of smaller diameter, and placed directly
underneath the positive carbons, and so as to come intermediate or bisecting the
angles formed by the upper carbons.
Figure 1, Sheet 2, shows in front elevation, and Figure 2 in plan, so much of a
lamp fitted with electrodes arranged in this manner as will be necessary to illus-
trate the manner in which I carry this part of my Invention into effect. a, a, a, are
the negative electrodes; b, b, b, the positive electrodes carried by ring c connected
by the arms c¹ to rod d, which latter passes up through the electro magnets, and is
clutched by them and raised when the current is put on, as more fully hereafter
described with reference to the lamp illustrated at Figures 14 and 15, and separately
at Figure 13 of the same Sheet of Drawings; or instead of the above arrangement
the two sets of carbons may be placed vertically (side by side) instead of horizontally.
The voltaic arc will be formed between the centres of the two sets of carbons, and
may be regulated by means of a "solenoid" or electro magnet automatically or by
set screw. Figure 3 illustrates by diagram this arrangement in front elevation; or
instead of the above latter arrangement I may use a horizontal set traversed by a
vertical set, the one not touching the other. With this view the number of carbons
in the one set touching each other's ends must be sufficient to form a space in the centre
for the other set to pass through, this latter set being by preference formed of two
carbons only meeting at the centre, or one lower carbon rod may be used pressing
against an upper block of carbon, lime, or other suitable material. I use an auto-
matic or other contact appliance for starting; such automatic appliance may be an
electro magnet in conjunction with a counter balance.

page_text: Figures 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 shew diagrams of the several arrangements
of electrodes, as before described, Figure 12 being a side elevation of the electrodes
shewn at Figure 11.
In connection with my Invention I use an electro magnet of peculiar construction
for withdrawing the carbons after making contact; a front elevation of this magnet
is given at Figure 13; it is made in hinge form and of three coils, an upper coil o
and two lower coils p, p'; the two latter are hinged to the upper coil o, as shewn
at q, q'. There is a transverse aperture through the coils by which the vertical
carbon or a metallic rod is free to pass when the current is off, and in this case it
drops and allows the upper carbon or carbons to rest upon the horizontal or lower
carbons. t, t, are spring clamps screwed to the lower coils p, p, and it is these
springs which form clamps for gripping the vertical carbon; when therefore the
current is put on the lamp it traverses all three coils, viz., coils o and p, p¹, of the
electro magnet, and the two lower or hinged coils p, p', being thereby attracted
towards the upper coil o; the spring clamps t, t¹, are caused to clutch the vertical
carbon and to lift it up with the coils p, p¹, to the adjusted length of the arc.
carbons may be arranged obliquely at right angles horizontally or vertically in con-
nection and combination with this magnet.
Two
This electro magnet is now to be described and shewn in connection with the
lamp itself with the carbons arranged at right angles, as previously mentioned, in
a form which I have found to answer well in practice.
Figure 14 is a front elevation, and Figure 15 is a sectional plan of a lamp con-
structed according to my Invention with only one positive vertical carbon and two
horizontal negative carbons. a is the vertical positive carbon; b, b, are the hori-
zontal carbons; c, c, are two upright bars jointed at their lower ends to brackets d
which are secured to the parabolic reflector e, which latter when in the position
shewn in full lines at Figures 14 and 15, forms a stand for the lamp when not
in use or when the light is passed through a hole in the ceiling; but when the
lamp is suspended from a bracket or other place, as is intended to be the case
when the lamp is in use, the reflector can be turned into such position as it
may be required for reflecting the light, and the dotted lines shew one position
into which the reflector may be turned; ¹ is the top frame or bracket to which
the upright bars are secured at top; f is the electro magnet frame which is
mounted and free to travel up and down on the bars c, c, and its position on
the bars is regulated by that of the horizontal carbons b,b; g,g', are the tubes in
which the horizontal carbons are inserted; they are slotted, as shewn, to near the
points where they pass through the brackets d and lower ends of the upright bars c, c,
and it is about these tubes g, g', that the lamp and reflector can be turned; h, h¹, are
guides in the tubes carrying the horizontal carbons, and there maintained by the
cords i,, which pass under guide pulleys k, k¹, and up over other pulleys l, l¹, at
the upper ends of the uprights c, c, down again under other pulleys m, m', supported
in brackets on the electro magnet frame fand up to stops n, n', on the bracket d',
and it will be thus seen that the weight of the magnet frame f and its appendages
keep the cords i, ¹, continually tight, and consequently the ends of the horizontal
carbons up against one another, which as the latter are consumed have their points
by the aforesaid means kept continually abutting one against the other. The contact
parts of the two horizontal electrodes become highly incandescent, and both of the
carbons are worn down to fine pencil points, which glow to a white heat. u is the
positive and v the negative connecting screws (see Figure 16), which is a side view
of the bracket d'. The positive pole u is in connection with electro magnet o by
rod w and wire w' (see Figure 13). The rod w is insulated from frame ƒ by the
piece d³, and from the bracket d by the piece d²; the magnet o is connected with
magnet p by wire w³; magnet p is connected with magnet p' by wire w³; magnet p¹
is connected to the bottom plate f' of frameƒ by wire w, and thence to the positive
carbon by contact piece s. The magnets and plate f¹ are by the pieces f insulated
from the side pieces of the frame. The negative pole v is in contact with the hori-
zontal carbons by means of the bracket d', bars c, tubes g, g¹, and guides h, h³.

page_text: For a light working by incandescent electrodes several of the aforesaid arrange-
ments may be adapted; I may also arrange two blocks of carbon or metal in close
proximity to each other, and with two small carbon rods placed across them and
meeting at the centre, being pressed together by weights or other suitable means, the
blocks may be regulated as to distance apart and thereby regulate the length of the
incandescent part of the carbon rods.
Electric lamps constructed according to my Invention are particularly applicable
for illuminating collieries, harbors, and large sheds, such as railway stations, for
example. For colliery purposes an electric lamp requires to be as simple as possible,
and no shadow should be thrown by any part of the apparatus on the illuminated
field below, and this I believe to have accomplished by the production of a lamp
which will, when placed high, shed down a pyramid of unobstructed light. The
relationship of the lit surface to the square of the height has suggested to me the
name "pyramid" for electric lamps constructed according to my Invention.
I am aware that it has been proposed to use in dynamo electric machines or
apparatus for generating electricity iron rings made out of a number of sheet iron
rings, or formed with soft iron wire, around and about which insulated wire is wound
in various ways in which a current of electricity may be induced by the action of
inducing magnets arranged also in various ways. I wish it therefore to be clearly
understood that I lay no claim as my Invention or part of my Invention to any such
arrangements when taken separately or alone..
I am also aware that it has been proposed to employ several carbons for the
positive pole and several carbons for the negative arranged in various forms, I
wish it therefore to be clearly understood that I lay no claim as my Invention or
part of my Invention to any such arrangement or arrangements when taken
separately or alone.
Having now described the nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I claim,―
First. The production of electricity in and by the construction and application of
machinery or apparatus with flat soft iron rings, producing two or more separate
currents of electricity out of the same ring, the said rings being arranged relatively
to two electro-magnets or sets of same so as to be almost enveloped thereby, all sub-
stantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the Figures on Sheet 1 of the
accompanying Drawings.
Second. The construction and employment of the electro magnets used for lifting
up or operating the positive electrodes and releasing the same when the current is
broken, all substantially as hereinbefore described, and illustrated in the accom-
panying Drawings.
Third. The construction and employment of electric lamps with sets of positive
and negative carbons, and with electrodes all arranged and operating substantially
in the manner and for the purposes described with reference to Sheet 2 of the
accompanying Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said William Blanch Brain, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Fifth day of July, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and seventy nine.
W. BLANCH BRAIN. (L.S.)