Improved Means for Controlling the Working of Lifts, Motors, and other Appliances Operated by Electric Energy.
Year: 1898

page_text: Improved Means for Controlling the Working of Lifts, Motors, and
other Appliances Operated by Electric Energy.
I, WILLIAM ARTHUR KER, of 16, Mark Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invoution to be as follows:-
This invention relates to means for controlling the flow of an electric
current; saine being specially applicable for use in working lifts or hoists, motors
and other engines, operated by electric energy, the object being to avoid shock as
also sparking upon applying tho current.
In controlling electrically-worked lifts by means of the usual starting device-
namely, with the aid of a switch which passes over a series of contacts and
successively cuts out resistances-it has been found that the application of the full
power is too sudden to secure the entire avoidance of shock at starting. Moreover,
owing to the burning which occurs with such arrangements, not only are frequent
renewals rendered necessary, but excessive friction is engendered.
A current-regulating device arranged according to my invention comprises a
tank containing water preferably rendered alkaline by the addition of a little soda.
Connected with the positive and negative wires of the circuit are two electrodes
preferably formed of lead and extending from side to side of the tank but insulated
therefrom; or the tank may be composed of earthenware, slate, glass or the like,
the electrodes resting upon the floor thereof. The upper portions of the two
electrodes are parallel and are arranged a short distance apart and project above
the surface of the electrolyte; whilst the lower portions are inclined and gradually
diverge from one another as they extend downwards. Between the two electrodes
is arranged a diaphragm or shutter, formed of vulcanite, glass or other non-
conducting material, and capable of being raised or lowored. Assuming the
diaphragm to be in its lowest position, its bottom edge resting upon the floor of
the tank, the fluid conductor formed by the electrolyte between the electrodes is
interrupted, and the flow of current is practically cut off. Upon the diaphragm
being raised, the fluid conductor becomes continuous beneath its lower edge, and,
owing to the shape and position of the electrodes, the area of the path for the
current increases and the length of the path diminishes as the diaphragm is raised,
the resistance being proportionately reduced until the upper or parallel portions of
the electrodes are exposed for the direct flow of the current, the resistance being
then at its minimum.
The speed with which the diaphragm is raised may be controlled by means of a
dash-pot or equivalent device; the current being rapidly increased from a
minimum to a maximum, but without shock and without appreciable heating of the
electrolyte.
The above described controlling device will usually be employed in addition to
the ordinary switch, the two appliances being arranged to operate successively, the

page_text: switch acting first in applying the current and the regulator taking precedence in
cutting off the current.
Improved Means for Controlling the Working of Lifts, Motors, and
other Appliances Operated by Electric Energy.
I, WILLIAM ARTHUR KER, of 16, Mark Lane, in the County of Middlesex,
Engineer, 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 :-
This invention relates to means for controlling the flow of an electric current ;
same being specially applicable for use in working lifts or hoists, motors and other
engines, operated by electric energy, the object being to avoid shock as also sparking
upou applying the current.
In controlling electrically-worked lifts by means of the usual starting device-
namely, with the aid of a switch which passes over a series of contacts and
successively cuts out resistances-it has been found that the application of the full
power is too sudden to secure the entire avoidance of shock at starting. Moreover,
owing to the burning which occurs with such arrangements, not only are frequent
renowals rendered necessary, but excessive friction is engendered.
In the accompanying drawings,
Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the improved controlling device or resistance
cell.
Fig. 2 is a tranverse section taken through the centre of the coll, a portion of the
left-hand electrode in Fig. 1 being shown in elevation.
Fig. 3 is a diagrammatical view, partly in elevation and partly in section, illus-
trating the method of working the controlling device in conjunction with an
ordinary starting switch, the latter having no resistances.
A current-regulating device arranged according to my invention comprises a
tank A. containing water, preferably rendered alkaline by the addition of a little
soda. Connected with the positive and negativo wires of the circuit are two
olectrodes B B¹ preferably formed of lend and extending transversely from side to
side of the tank, but insulated therefrom; or the tank may be composed of earthien-
ware, slate, glass or the like, the electrodes resting upon the floor thereof. The
electrodes B B¹ are parallel for a portion of their length and are arranged a short
distance apart, their upper portions projecting above the surface of the electrolyte,
whilst the lower portions are inclined and gradually diverge from one another as
they extend downwards. Between the two electrodes is arranged a diaphragui or
shutter C, formed of vulcanite, glass or other nou-conducting material, and capable
of being raised or lowered. In the drawing, Fig. 3, the diaphragm is connected to
ono end of a lever D, the lattor being provided at the opposite end with a weight Do
which may vary according to the requirements of different cases. The lever D is
mounted upon a pivot at D', a link D connecting the same with the starting
switch E. Assuming the diaphragm C to be in its lowest position, its bottom edge
resting upon the floor of the tank, as indicated in the drawings hereto, the fluid
conductor formed by the electrolyte between the electrodes B and B is interrupted,
and the flow of current is practically cut off. Upon the diaphragm being raised,

page_text: the fluid conductor becomes continuous beneath its lower edge, and, owing to tho
shape and position of the electrodes, the area of the path for the current increases
and the length of the path diminishes as the diaphragm increases its distance from
the floor of the tank; the resistance being proportionatoly reduced until the upper
or parallel portions of the electrodes are exposed for the direct flow of the current,
the resistance being then at its minimum. One of the electrodes B or B¹ may be
furnished at a suitable point in its height with one or more pivoted pieces b b
whereof the toes 61 61 enter an opening in the electrode. Thus, upon the diaphragm
reaching a certain limit of riso, direct electrical contact is automatically effected
between the two electrodes; the resistance to the flow of current being thereupon
entirely overcome or reduced to an almost imperceptible degree.
The speed with which the diaphragm is raised may be controlled by means of
a dash-pot F or equivalent devico; the current being rapidly increased from a
minimum to a maximumn, but without shock and without appreciable heating of tho
electrolyte. The slot in the lower end of the link D2 allows of a rapid movement
of the switch when putting on the current; the diaphragm or shutter C, which is
controlled by the dash-pot F, being moved slowly by the weight Do.
The above described controlling device will usually be employed in addition to
the ordinary switch, the two appliances being arranged to operate successively, the
switch acting first in applying the current and the regular taking precedence in
cutting off the current.
In practice the positive wire from the starting switch is connected with the
terminal 6° while the negative wire is connected with the terminal 6*.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention and in what manner the saine is to be performed, I claim :—
1. The improved means for controlling the flow of an electric current arranged
or operating substantially as horein described, whereby shock to the apparatus
actuated is avoided and freedom from sparking secured.
2. For use with electrically-operated lifts, motors and other appliances, a con-
trolling device comprising a tank or vessel charged with a fluid conductor, such as
water rendered slightly alkaline, two electrodes immersed therein and a diaphragm
or shutter of non-conducting material arranged between the electrodes and capable
of being raised or lowered so as to increase or diminish the area of the fluid form-
ing the conductor for the uninterrupted flow of the current between the electrodes,
substantially as herein described.
3. In an electrically-operated lift or hoist, motor or other appliance, the combina-
tion, with a starting switch, of a tank A charged with a fluid conductor,
electrodes B B¹, diaphragm or shutter C, lever D and weight Dº, substantially as
and for the purpose set forth.