Improvements in and relating to Controllers for Electric Motor Circuits.
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1897-Accepted, 4th Sept., 1897
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Controllers for Electric Motor
Circuits.
We, THE BRITISHI THOMSON-HOUSTON COMPANY, LIMITED, of 83, Cannon Street,
in the City of London, Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention (which has been communicated to us from abroad by Edward D.
Priest, of Schenectady, County of Schenectady, State of New York, United
States of America,) and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Pneumatic controllers as heretofore constructed have been provided with com-
mutating and resistance cylinders; these are actuated by means of pistons or
other suitable mechanism when it is desired to vary the resistance of the circuit
by cutting out resistance or change the motor connections from series to parallel,
or vice versa.
In controllers of this kind the inertia of the heavy moving parts is objection-
able; the present invention has for one of its objects to overcome this feature and
at the same time arrange the operating parts in such a relation that they are
easy to operate and respond quickly to the actuating force; this we accomplish
by substituting a plurality of separately-actuated contact devices for the
commutating and resistance cylinders.
A further object of the invention is to provide for the positive operation of the
contacts in breaking and making the circuit, reducing to a minimum the
liability of injury caused by arcing between contacts in intermediate positions.
A further object of the invention is to arrange the operating handle and
controlling valves in such a manner that the handle can be continuously operated
in one direction if desired; or it may be operated in the usual manner by moving
it around to the highest speed position, then returning it to the "off" position
by a backward movement.
A further object of the invention is to provide a single operating handle for
actuating the valves regulating the admission of the air to the contact actuating
cylinders.
A further object of the invention is to provide means for automatically returning
the contacts to the "off" position if, for any reason, the air supply fails.
A further object of the invention is to divide the valve mechanism into two
parts for the purpose of simplifying the construction; to provide for the necessary
adjustment of parts, and to facilitate repairs. This I do by providing separate
valves, one for the resistance contacts and the other for commutation or changing
the combinations of the motors, and gearing the valves together so that they
operate at proper times to turn the air under pressure into the pipes communicat-
ing with the different contacts by which the sections of resistance are cut in or
out or the circuits through the motors so changed that the latter may be in series,
series-multiple or multiple, according to the speed desired. By thus dividing
the valve mechanism I render its parts capable of independent adjustment by
changing the relation of the two valves so that the operations described may be
performed in the desired sequence; and each valve being small as compared with

page_text: a single valve embracing all of the combinations, it is readily kept in order and
requires but little power for rotation..
The invention also relates to the construction of the blow-out magnet.
other details of construction are designed to be covered by the claims.
Certain
In carrying out the invention, separately-actuated pistons are employed, each
piston operating a contact, either for the purpose of cutting resistance out of or
into circuit, or for changing the motor connections. Two valves are provided,
one for the resistance contacts and the other for commutating; these are connected
together by gearing so that the resistance valve makes three revolutions to one
of the commutating valves. The resistance valve is so arranged that a complete
revolution will cause the circuit to close with full resistance, cut out the
resistance, and finally interrupt the circuit after the resistance has been
re-inserted. At the interval between the opening and closing of the circuit, the
commutating valve operates to change the circuit of the motors from series to
series-parallel, then to parallel; a further rotation of the valves causes the
resistance to be reinserted and the circuit to be interrupted at a number of points.
The resistance of the circuit is decreased by including sections of resistance in
multiple with those already in circuit in a well-known manner. Each contact is
mounted on the end of a piston and is adapted to engage with a stationary contact
when air is admitted to its operating cylinder; these pistons operate against a
spring, so that they are returned without the use of air pressure; this simplifies
their construction, and at the same time ensures the return of the pistons to the
"off" position in case the supply of air fails.
In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevation; Fig. 2 is a section
on the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view of the core of the
blow-out magnet; Fig. 4 is a development of the resistance valve; Fig. 5 is a
development of the commutating valve; Fig. 6 is a diagram of the motor circuits,
and Fig. 7 shows the motor combinations.
In Figs. 1 and 2, A is the metal frame forming a support for the insulating
pieces A¹, A², A³. Mounted on the insulating pieces A' are the contact studs B;
these are provided at their outer ends with nuts and a screw threaded portion for
securing the resistance leads; on the opposite ends they are provided with split
contacts which are engaged by the contacts D, carried by the pistons D'. The
cylinders 15 are cast in one piece with spaces D2 between them for reducing the
weight. The right hand side of the casting is formed with a flange E provided
with a flat surface in which are grooves or passages a leading from the cylinders
to the resistance valve C. Between the flange E and the plate E' is a piece of
fibre or other packing 6 which separates the grooves one from another. The
plate E is secured to the insulating support A2 by any suitable means.
The pistons D¹ are provided with a packing of leather or similar material, and
when air is admitted to the cylinders D5, are forced outward against the action
of the spring c until the end of the contact D engages with the split end of the
stationary contact B. The cylinders are in electrical connection with the circuit,
and to ensure good contact between the cylinders and the contacts D, split
rings D³ are employed through which the contacts slide in moving forward and
back.
A blow-out magnet F is employed to extinguish the arc formed when the
circuit between the contacts B and D is broken; it is composed of two T-shaped
pieces F¹ and Fa (see Fig. 3), provided with poles f, f¹; the vertical portions of
the T-shaped piece form the core for the energizing coil F3 which is separately
wound and insulated, and held in place by means of bolts F4, securing the
parts F, F. The construction of the core is such that the alternate poles f, f¹ are
connected to opposite ends of the core; this makes them alternate in polarity so
that while an arc between f and f¹ is blown outward the arc between the next pair
of poles, f¹, f¹, is blown inward toward the energizing coil F3. To protect the
coil against injury a piece of refractory material d, Fig. 2, is placed between the
arcing electrodes and the coil; similar protection is afforded for the pole

page_text: pieces f and f¹, and extending along their sides are pieces of insulating
material which, with the pole pieces, make separate chutes for each pair of
arcing electrodes. To provide for the escape of gas, passages d¹ are made near the
coil.
By the construction above pointed out we are enabled to dispense with a
number of the energizing coils usually employed, and to provide a cheap blow-out
magnet having a pair of poles for each arcing contact, with a common energizing
coil. By alternately blowing the arcs outwardly and inwardly, those between
adjacent contacts are less liable to cause short-circuiting, the interval of time
between the arcs which are blown in the same direction being twice as great as
would be the case were they all blown in the same direction.
The resistance valve C, Fig. 1, is mounted on a projection of the plate E¹;
it is provided with a tapered plug C which regulates the admission of air to the
cylinders D³. At the top of the plug C is a pinion C2 in gear with the spur
wheel C³, the latter being operated by the handle G.
In Fig. 4 is shown a development of the taper valve plug C₁; a represents the
passages or grooves leading to the cylinders D5, and H is the inlet pipe entering
the outer casing of the valve at a point opposite the groove h. Extending from
the top to the bottom are two diagonal projections or ribs h, h5; these are SO
arranged that two chambers h¹, h2 are formed; his connected to the groove h
and source of supply, and h² is open to the outer air through the opening h³.
When the plug C₁ is rotated from left to right, air is admitted to the passages a;
as soon as it reaches a point where the chamber h¹ is opposite them, the rib h³
being inclined, the air is admitted to the passages a in succession. When the
plug C has moved so that the dotted line is opposite the passages a, all of the
resistance cylinders receive air under pressure and the resistance is short-
circuited. The upper passage a¹ regulates the operation of the upper four
pistons; these are made of very low resistance and are designed to short-circuit
the controlling resistance R. A continued rotation of the valve cuts in
resistance; first, however, interrupting the short-circuit.
The commutating valve 15, Fig. 1, is mounted on the insulating support A
and extending therefrom are pipes i, 21, 22, 23; the pipe i leads to the cylinder 1,
to cylinder 3, and by pipe to cylinder 2; 22 to cylinder 5, thence through
pine to cylinder 4; and to cylinder 6, 7, 8 and 9 by means of the pipes i
Fig. 5 shows a development of the commutating valve 15; the plug is divided
by means of ribs into chambers I, I, the chamber I being supplied with air
under pressure from the inlet pipe J, while the chamber I¹ is open to the external
air through passage I³. With the valve in the position shown no air is admitted
to the pipes; upon moving the plug so that the chamber I is opposite the
pipes and ¹, air will be admitted to cylinders 1, 2, 3, a continued movement
of the plug to the dotted line position will open the pipe i to the external air
through chamber I¹ and openings I", and pipes and will receive air under
pressure and supply it to cylinders 2, 3, 4 and 5; a further movement of the plug
opens the pipes i and ¹ to the atmosphere, and pipes and are receiving air
under pressure and supplying it to cylinders 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9. A further move-
ment of the plug in the same direction will open the pipes i and 23 inclusive, to
the external air; the construction of the pistons and cylinders being the same
as described in connection with the resistance, the circuit will be interrupted at
a number of points corresponding with the number of contacts.
The plug is provided with a toothed wheel I* in gear with the spur wheel C³
operated by the handle G, and makes one revolution to three of the resistance
valve, the purpose of which will be more fully described hereinafter. The
stationary commutating contacts are mounted on the insulating support A³ and
extending therefrom are cables K connected to the different motors."
The cylinders 1 to 9 inclusive are not connected in the electric circuit and
connection is made from the stationary contacts on the insulating support A* to
the piston contacts 10 to 18 inclusive by means of the flexible leads A³.

page_text: Figs. 6 and 7 illustrate diagrammatically the connection of the circuits. T is
the source of current supply and is permanently connected to all the sections of
the resistance R. The cylinders D³ and contacts D are electrically one unit, and
as air is admitted to the different cylinders, one by one, the contacts D establish
connection with the resistance R through the contacts B, reducing the total
resistance of the circuit by establishing multiple resistance circuits; the upper
four contacts are operated simultaneously, and have practically no resistance.
The geared relation of the valves C and 15 is such that the contacts 10, It
and 12 are closed before the circuit is completed through the resistance; 71 shows
the circuit relation of the motors with both valves in the off position, and 72 after
the commutating valve has closed its portion of the circuit. 73 shows the relation
of the motors after the circuit has been closed through the resistance R; this
latter is gradually decreased by rotating the handle G until it is all cut-out, as
shown in 74. Further movement of the handle in the same direction reinserts
the resistance preparatory to changing the circuit, as shown in 75; the next
instant the circuit is oroken and by means of the commutating valve, the air is
admitted under pressure to the cylinders 2, 3, 4 and 5; this actuates contacts 11,
12, 13 and 14, establishing a series-parallel relation of the motors, as shown in 78.
The next step closes the resistance circuit by means of the valve C, and the
circuit connections are as shown in 79. The resistance R is diminished, cut out,
and then cut in again, as shown in 710 and 711, preparatory to interrupting the
circuit, as shown in 712. The plug of the valve 15 is now rotated to a position
where the circuit between the motors is interrupted, as shown in 713; a continued
movement causes air to be admitted to cylinders 4 to 9 inclusive, establishing a
parallel relation of the motors as shown in 714. The circuit is then closed as 2
shown in 715, and the resistance gradually reduced, as shown in 716, this being
the last running position. Further movement of the valves causes the
resistance R to be reinserted, as at 717, and the circuit interrupted as shown at 718,
and finally to establish the connections shown in 7, which is the first position.
By arranging the valve mechanism in the manner described and making all a
circuit changes by inserting resistance before interrupting the circuit, we are
enabled to change the motos from open circuit to parallel relation through a
resistance at the first closing of the circuit.
A further advantage to be gained by this construction is that when running at
full speed, with the motors in parallel the circuit can be immediately interrupted 3
by a forward movement of the handle cove. ng only a very small portion of its
angular movement instead of moving it backward through all the previous steps.
Diagrams 74, 710 and 716 represent running positions of the motors, and it will
be seen that the resistance has been in circuit and cut out three times while the
commutating valve has only made e revolution, establishing the series, series- 4
parallel and parallel relation of the motors.
Assuming that the circuit is closed with the motors in series, the connections
are as follows: Trolley T, resistance R, motor M¹, contact 12, by wire k, to
motor M² to contact 10, by wire to motor M³, to contact 11, by wire m to
motor M4, to ground.
The remainder of the circuit connections can be readily traced by assuming
that the contacts 11 to 14 inclusive are closed for the series-parallel relation, and
contacts 13 to 18 for the parallel.
4
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention (as communicated to us from abread) and in what manner the same is 5
to be performed, we declare that what we claim is:-
1. In a controller such as is above referred to a plurality of separate
pneumatically operated contacts for varying the resistance of the motor circuits.
2. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of separate pneumatically
operated contacts, with a valve for regulating their operation.
3. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of separately actuated resistance
5

page_text: contacts, cylinders and pistons for actuating the contacts, and a valve controlled
by the operating handle for regulating the admission of air to the cylinders.
4. In a controller the combination of a plurality of separately actuated contact
devices, a cylinder and piston for each contact device, and a valve common to
the cylinders, for regulating the admission of air thereto.
5. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of separately actuated con-
tacts for regulating the controlling resistance, a plurality of separately actuated
contacts for establishing certain motor combinations, and valve mechanism
actuated by an operating handle.
6. In a controller, the combination of a set of separate pneumatically actuated
contact devices, a valve therefor, a second set of pneumatically actuated contact
devices for establishing new motor combinations, a valve therefor, and a handle
for operating the valves.
7. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of separately actuated contacts,
a valve, a number of passages leading therefrom, an operating device for the
valve provided with a chamber to which air is admitted under pressure, means
for supplying air to the passages, and means for cutting off the supply of air
from the passages, and opening them to the external air.
8. In a controller, the combination of a valve, an operating device for the
valve provided with a chamber to which air is supplied under pressure, and a
number of passages therefrom arranged so that an increasing number receive
air as the valve is actuated up to a given point, after which the number decreases.
9. In a controller, the combination of a valve, a plurality of separately-actuated
contacts for varying the resistance of the circuit, means, controlled by the valve,
for actuating the contacts, and means for establishing a new relation of the motor
circuits, the motors when so connected being controlled by the valve and separately
actuated contacts.
10. In a controller the combination of a valve, a handle, a plurality of
separately-actuated contacts controlled by the valve for reducing the resistance of
the motor circuit as the handle is moved to a given point, means for increasing
the resistance as the handle moves beyond this point, and separately-actuated
contacts controlled by a valve for establishing a new relation of the motor circuits,
the motor when so connected being controlled by means of the first named
separately-actuated contacts as before.
11. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of separately-actuated
contacts, an operating device for each contact, a valve common to the operating
devices for regulating the admission of air thereto, and a separate chute for each
contact.
12. In a pneumatic controller the combination of a valve, contacts controlled
by the valve for closing the circuit and regulating the resistance, contacts con-
trolled by a second valve for establishing different motor combinations, and means
for actuating the second valve at a time when the circuit is interrupted.
13. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of pistons and cylinders for
the operating contacts for changing the resistance of the motor circuit, with
valve mechanism for regulating the admission of air to the cylinders, the
arrangement of the valve mechanism being such that the connections of the
motor circuit can be changed from highest to lowest speed relation by a continued
movement thereof.
14. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a valve, contacts for
establishing and regulating the circuit controlled by the valve, a second valve
controlling mechanism for changing the motor connections, and means for
preserving a definite relation between the movements of the valves.
15. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a valve, contacts controlled
thereby for cutting resistance out of and into circuit as the valve is operated a
second valve contact controlled thereby for changing the motor connections,
gearing between the valves, and a common actuating handle.
16. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a valve, resistance contacts

page_text: controlled thereby, a second valve, controlling mechanism for changing the
circuit combinations, and means connecting the valves in such a manner that the
resistance contacts are always actuated before the circuit is interrupted.
17. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a valve, contacts controlled
thereby for regulating the resistance each time a change is made in the relation
of the motor circuits, a rotary valve so arranged that its first and last positions
are adjacent, and contacts controlled thereby for establishing a series or parallel
relation of the motor circuit.
18. In a switch mechanism for controllers, the combination of a plurality of
contacts, with an arc-extinguishing means adapted to blow certain of the arcs in
one direction and the balance in another.
19. In a switch mechanism for controllers, the combination of a blow-out
magnet, and a core therefor, provided with a plurality of projections or fingers
extending from each end, and so arranged that they alternate in polarity.
20. In a switch mechanism for controllers, the combination of a blow-out
magnet, a core therefor made in two parts adapted to be bolted together after the
energizing coil is in place, and fingers projecting from each part ofo the core
toward one another adapted to blow the arcs formed between the electrodes
alternately outward and inward.
21. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of separate pneumatically
actuated contacts, a valve controlling the operating mechanism, stationary
contacts engaged by the moving contacts, and flexible connections between the
moving contacts and the source of supply.
22. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of separately-actuated
contacts, a blow-out magnet for each pair of contacts, and separate chutes for
retaining the arcs formed at each contact.
23. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a plurality of contacts, a
source of air supply, a valve for regulating the operation of the contacts, and
means for returning the contacts to their off" position in case the supply of
air fails.
24. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a plurality of separately-
actuated contacts, a valve for regulating the operation of the contacts, pistons and
cylinders therefor, a source of air supply, and springs for returning the contacts
to the "off" position as soon as the air pressure is relieved.
25. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a rotary valve with contacts
controlled thereby, the relation between the contacts and valve being such that
a continuous rotary movement of the valve will cause the circuit to be established
and the resistance decreased, then increased and the circuit interrupted.
26. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a valve, a plurality of
separately-actuated contacts controlled thereby, and means for causing the circuit
to be simultaneously interrupted at a number of points.
27. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a rotary valve, contacts for
establishing different motor combinations controlled thereby, and means for
actuating the contacts, the valve being so arranged with respect to the actuating
means, that the highest and lowest speed combinations are adjacent.
28. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a resistance, a plurality of
separately-actuated resistance contacts, pistons and cylinders for operating the
contacts, a valve mechanism for regulating the operation of the contacts, and a
plurality of separately-actuated contacts controlled by the valve, for short-
circuiting the resistance at a predetermined point.
29. In a controller, the combination of a plurality of cylinders, each provided
with a piston for actuating a contact, passages leading from the cylinders, a valve
provided with a port for each passage, and a plug controlled by the actuating
handle for admitting air to the cylinders.
30. In a pneumatic controller, the combination of a plurality of cylinders and
pistons for actuating the resistance contacts, cylinders and pistons for operating

page_text: the series-parallel contacts, and a single handle for regulating the admission of
air to the cylinders.
31. In a controller for electric motors, the combination of a plurality of
contacts separately operated by a fluid under pressure, and circuit connections
controlled by said contacts for regulating the operation of the motor or motors.
D
011
ay
1001,
For the Applicants,
J. C. CHAPMAN,
70 Chancery Lane, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.