Improvements in Electric Regulators,
Year: 1897

page_text: Date of Application, 8th June, 1897-Accepted, 23rd Oct.,
1897
Improvements in Electric Regulators,
I, CHRISTOPHER C. GARTLAND, of No. 370, Maryland Street, in the City of Buffalo
County of Erie and State of New York, 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 consists of the improvements hereinafter described in apparatus for
the regulation of dynamo electric machines for the purpose of keeping either the
electro-motive force or the quantity of the current furnished by such machines at a
predetermined point, but it is capable of being applied as a governor to keep the
speed of any machine at a predetermined point.
In the drawings the device is shown as applied to a dynamo-regulation;
Fig. 1, is a front view in elevation of the complete device;
Figs. 2, and 3, are respectively a side and a plan view of the electro-magnet by
which the device is actuated;
Fig. 4, is a side elevation of the device broken away in part ;
Fig. 6, is a detail of the eccentric, and
Fig. 7, and 8, and 9, are detail views of specific parts showing modified or
alternative features of construction.
Premising that the general principle of the device is the regulation of the dynamo
by varying the excitation of its field, the apparatus is described as follows:
A represents the casing of a rheostat, and a the contact studs or buttons between
which the resistance coils are interposed. This rheostat may be of any usual or
preferred construction, and I prefer to connect it in parallel with the field of the dynamo,
although it may be otherwise connected. B represents an arm extending from the
rocker of the armature brushes, C a contact arm engaging the contact buttons a
and pivoted on a pin or short rod H. The regulation of the dynamo is effected by the
movement of the arms B and C, in the following nanner : as the current
in the dynamo increases or decreases beyond the limit which it is desired
to maintain, more or less resistance through the rheostat is interposed by
the movement of arm C, and the armature brushes are simultaneously
rocked by the arm B, these movements being effected by means of oppositely
acting pawls, which can engage racks or gears moving the arms B and C,
but are normally maintained out of engagement therewith. These pawls are acted
upon by an electric magnet or magnets energized by current from the dynamo to be
regulated, and one or the other made to act on the arms B and C as the current of
the machine increases or decreases, it being impossible for both rawls to engage at
the same time.
.
To effect such action of the pawls they are supported in the proper position on a
constantly oscillating arm, which, when either pawl is caused by the magnet to
engage the rack rapidly moves the latter in the proper direction. The oscillation of
the pawl-carrying arm may be effected in any suitable manner that which I prefer
being shown in Figs. 1 and 4. A continuously driven pulley D rotates an eccentric d
which is preferably surrounded by a second eccentric d' which can be rotated on d
and secured rigidly thereto, as by the screw d² (see Fig. 6). Spanning the
eccentrics d d is a forked or U-shaped arm F, pivoted at P and carrying the
oppositely acting pawls e and e¹ from each side of which depends a weighted arm or
spring tending when un-supported to drop by gravity and bring the pawl into
engagement with 21 ratchet rigid with the brush-rocker arm B. The two

page_text: ratchets B1 and B2 are secured to the arm B side by side, and are set with the teeth
of their ratchets oppositely disposed, each ratchet being engaged by one of the pawls.
As the arın B is moved in one direction the brushes are rocked in the opposite
direction. E is a gear mounted on the rod H and preferably secured rigidly to the
hub of arın C, as by the pin b, and engaging a rack s on the arm B, as hereinafter
described.
A rocking-lever i is supported below the pawls e e¹ and engaging their depending
springs by pins 3. The lever i is connected, as by links, to the free end of a
vibrating armature L, suspended by its other end from a spring L' which tends to
lift it above the poles of the electro-magnet K, to a prolongation k of whose
core the poles are adjustably secured. In as much as the magnet K is always
energized when the dynamo is running, the armature is rendered inore adjustably
sensitive and its action brought under complete control by the following construction:
A spring is secured to the projecting lever-end of the armature, as at O', and is
adjustably secured, as by screw R, to a rigid support, such as the bracket arm M
which supports the spool K and the armature L. By this means the armature is
accurately balanced, and the amount of energy in the spool which is required to
depress it can be accurately gauged by the adjustment of spring O. To limit the
play of the armature adjustable stops m m. are arrainged above and below it, so
that its play is just sufficient to certainly effect the engagement of one or the other
of the pawls when at its limit of movement.
In describing the operation of the device, it may be assumed for illustration that
it is applied to effect the regulation of the current of a dynamo capable of generating
6000 volts, and that it is desired to maintain in the working circuit a constant
current of 10 amperes. The spool K is wound to have a power just sufficient to
hold the armature balanced in line with the poles k¹ when 10 amperes is maintained
in the dynamo, acting of course against the springs L' and O. In this condition the
armature Lis maintained midway between the stops m m, and the lever i is maintained
in a position which supports both of the pawls e e¹ out of engagement with the
ratchets B1 B2, and the whole is in a state of equilibrium. If now the current of
the dynamo decreases, from increase of the load on the working circuit or other
cause, the decreased power of the spool K will allow the armature L to be lifted by
the springs 1 and O, and this will rock the lever and allow the pawl e to engage
the ratchet B¹, as shown in dotted lines on Fig. 1. The constantly oscillating
arm F will then cause the pawl to move the ratchet B¹ toward the right hand
side of the figure, and slightly nove the brush-rocker the opposite way,
at the same time rotating the gear E which meshes with the rack on the
arm B, and this will move the rheostat arm C to which the gear E is secured
toward the right SO as to progressively increase the resistance
the rheostat, thereby throwing more current through the field of the dynamo and
consequently increasing its current until the desired current is restored, when the
increased power of spool K will draw upon the arinature, disengage the pawl e and
restore the condition of equilibrium in the apparatus.
of
If the increase of current in the machine continues, the spool will depress the
armature L, below its normal position and cause the other pawl e', to engage the
ratchet B, moving the rheostat arm in the reverse direction, cutting out resistance
in the rheostat and thus weakening the field of the armature, which will at once
decrease the current of the machine to the predetermined limit.
In this manner a
perfect automatic regulation of the dynamo is obtained and the current maintained
at the limit set, with but infinitesimal fluctuations.
The application of the device to the regulation of constant potential is in the
same manner, the spool K being wound according to the E.M.F. required.
It may
also be applied to the regulation of alternating current machines, as well as to
separately excited machines generally, by connecting the rheostat in series with the
field coils of the exciting machine, and in the case of the alternating machine
preferably connecting the spool K in the secondary circuit from the transformer, in
which circuit a second rheostat operated by a spool in the primary circuit of the

page_text: alternator is also interposed, said second resistance being so arranged as to give to
the spool K the same amount of current (and hence of strength) with 110 volts
potential around it as at 100 volts, thus automatically taking care of the line loss on
the primary circuit in exact proportion to the load, at any and all variations of the
load.
When used to regulate the speed of machinery the arm B is connected to any
suitable speed governor, and electric current is supplied to the spool K from any
suitable electric generator driven by the main shaft or by the machine to be
governed. An increase or decrease of speed in the machine governed will in turn
increase or decrease the current in the spool K which will operate the arin Bare
herein above described. The movement of the arın B may operate to reduce or
increase the speed of the machine in any desired manner. For example in an engine
it can readily be caused to alter the distribution of steam to the cylinder. Or, current
can be admitted to spool K from any convenient source by connecting in shunt across
said spool a small resistance which will be varied by the speed of the machine
governed and which in turn varies the strength of spool K.
The poles are preferably formed with acute terininals, as seen in Fig. 2, and
are adjustable in the core piece by seating their clamping screws in slots in the
core piece as seen in Fig. 1. The armature L, is also sharp-edged opposite the
poles k¹² (Fig. 2.) whereby the action of the magnet K is rendered more sensitive
by the action of the opposite points or edges. Instead of a single point the edges of
the poles and armature may be formed with two or more points if preferred.
There are certain obvious modifications of structure which may be introduced into
the device without varying the essential mode of operation above described or departing
from my invention. Thus instead of connecting the gear E to arm C and operating
both by the single pair of pawls e e¹ the arm C inay be independent of gear E and be
provided with the oppositely disposed ratchets c¹ e² and a second pair of pawls ee
inay be carried by the arm F and made to actuate the arm C, as shown in Fig. 8, the
pins being lengthened to support both sets of pawls. It is obvious also that the
pawls ee could be operated independently by simply duplicating the spool K and
causing its armature to operate them in the same manner as pawls e e¹, also the
lever could be itself the armature of the spool K; and the pawls could be kept
normally out of engagement with their racks by gravity and made to engage there-
with by the positive action of the magnet, but these modifications of structure are
mere mechanical equivalents for the preferred construction shown.
The extent to which the arms B and C can be moved by the pawls is limited by
the length of the ratchets, the pawls moving in the smooth untoothed space at the
ends of the ratchets without moving the same, and to permit the arm B after moving
a certain distance to be further moved without actuating the arm C, a portion of the
toothed periphery of the gear E is cut away, as seen in Fig. 9, and the rack on B ends
in a lug or projecting tooth t which plays in the recessed space, and when the motion
of B is reversed, brings the gear E again into engagement with the rack. Fig. 9, also
shows a modification of construction in which the rack on arm B is replaced by a
rack cut on the back of the ratchets, and the action of the gear E is to move the
arm C in the same direction as that in which arm B moves, while the construction
shown in Fig. 1, moves the arms B and C in opposite directions.
The pawls are preferably pivoted on an arm F1 rigid with the constantly rocking
arm F, and the lever i is pivoted on a standard or support. I vertically adjustable, as
by the screw, whereby the amount of movement given to the pawls by the lever i
is capable of exact adjustment. By the adjustment of the eccentrics d d any desired
amount of throw can be given to the oscillating arm F, and in connection with the
adjustability of the lever i enables the operation and effect of the pawls to be
adjusted with the utmost delicacy and accuracy. When once adjusted the operation
of the device is positive and certain, always uniform, and unless broken it cannot
get out of adjustment. As shown arm F is pivoted on a bracket G, which also
carries one end of the pin or rod H, which is secured to it by screw g, while the
bracket is secured to the rheostat-case by screws g' but it is obvious that the rod H

page_text: could be made rigid with the rheostat-case or other supporting base and the bracket G
dispensed with if desired.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
I claim is :-
1. In an electric-regulator for dynamo-electric machines the combination with a
rheostat, a connecting arm arranged to vary the resistance thereof, an arm connected
to the brush-rocker of the dynamo, ratchets actuating said arm, oppositely acting
pawls adapted to engage said ratchets and move the same in either direction, a
rocking lever engaging said pawls and adapted to move the same in or out of engage-
ment with said ratchet, and an electro magnet having its armature connected to one
arm of said lever, substantially as described.
2. The combination of a rheostat, an arm adapted to vary the resistance thereof, a
gear actuating said arm, an arm connected to the brush-rocker, and having
a rack
engaging said gear on the rheostat arm, a ratchet actuating said brush-rocker arm,
oppositely acting pawls adapted to engage said ratchet and move the same in either
direction, a rocking lever engaging said pawls and adapted to move the same in or
out of engagement with said ratchet, and an electro-magnet having its armature
connected to one arm of said lever, substantially as described.
3. The combination with the rheostat, an arm adapted to vary the resistance
thereof, a gear actuating said arm, an arm connecting to the brush-rocker and
having a rack engaging said gear on the rheostat arm, a ratchet actuating said brush-
rocker arm, an oscillating arm carrying oppositely acting pawls adapted to engage
said ratchet and move the same in either direction, a rocking lever engaging said
pawls and adapted to move the same in or out of engagement with said ratchet, and
an electro-magnet having its armature connected to one arm of said lever, substantially
as described.
4. The combination of the rheostat, an arm adapted to vary the resistance thereof,
a gear actuating said arm, an arm connected to the brush-rocker and having a rack
engaging said gear on the rheostat arm, a ratchet actuating said brush-rocking arm,
a driven pulley having an eccentric on its hub, a forked arm spanning said eccentric
and carrying oppositely acting pawls adapted to engage said ratchet and move the
same in either direction, a rocking lever engaging said pawls and adapted to move
the same in or out of engagement with said ratchet, and an electro magnet having
its armature connected to one arm of said lever, substantially as described.
5. In an electric regulator the combination with the rheostat arm and gear rigid
therewith, the brush-rocker arm having a rack meshing with said gear, and the
oppositely disposed ratchets rigid with said brush-rocker arm, of the opposite acting
pawls, an oscillating lever each end of which engages one of said pawls, and an
electro-magnet whose armature is connected to one arm of said lever, substantially as
described.
6. The combination with the brush-rocker arm and the toothed segment thereon,
and the ratchets and the oppositely acting pawls for moving said arm, of the recessed
gear rigid with the rheostat arm and engaging said segment, and a lug or projection
on the segment adapted to engage the recess in the gear, substantially as described.
7. The combination with the rheostat arm, the ratchets operating the same, the
oppositely disposed pawls pivoted on an oscillating arm, and an electro-magnet
adapted to effect the engagement of said pawls with said ratchets, of the driven
pulley, an eccentric rigid therewith, and a second eccentric adjustable about the first
and engaging said oscillating arm, substantially as described.
8. The combination with the electro-magnetic bobbin having pointed or notched
poles, of the armature suspended between said poles and correspondingly pointed or
notched, substantially as described.
9. The combination with the electro-magnetic bobbin having pointed or notched
adjustable poles, of the armature suspended between said poles and correspondingly
pointed or notched, substantially as described.

page_text: 10. The combination with the electro-magnetic bobbin having its core prolonged
by the U-shaped pole-piece k and with the pointed or notched poles k¹² adjustably
secured thereto, of the correspondingly notched or pointed armature flexibly
suspended between the poles k' k², substantially as described.
11. The combination with the rocking pawl-actuating lever, of the electro-magnet
having its armature flexibly supported at one end and adjustably connected at the
other end to the rocking-lever, substantially as described.
12. The combination of the rheostat arm having a gear rigid therewith, the brush-
rocker arm having a rack engaging said gear and a ratchet on the opposite side of
said gear, oppositely disposed pawls adapted to engage said ratchet and move the
same in either direction, a lever engaging said pawls and adapted to effect their
engagement with said ratchet, and an electro-magnet having its armature connected
to said lever, substantially as described.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.
W. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Of London, Liverpool, Manchester and Birmingham,
Patent Agents for the Applicant.