IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATORS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Henry Johnson, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the
County of Middlesex, Gentleman, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN
REGULATORS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT." A communication from abroad by
François Ernest de Mersanne and Emile Bertin, both of Paris, in the Republic
of France.
Sealed the 27th May 1879, and dated the 13th December 1878.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Henry Johnson at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 13th December 1878.
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. " IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATORS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT." A commu-
nication from abroad by François Ernest de Mersanne and Emile Bertin, both of
Paris, in the Republic of France.
This Invention relates to an improved regulator for electric lamps, by means of
which the motion of the carbon points is produced by the action of a counterweight
suspended by a chain passed over the rollers which feed forward the carbons, and
which only move the carbons forward when such motion has been rendered necessary
by the wearing away of the points.
For this purpose an electro magnet or coil is placed in communication with the
main current or otherwise, so that when the carbon points are worn away, and con-
sequently further apart, the additional resistance to the passage of the current
causes a greater quantity of electricity to pass into the electro magnet, and enables
the latter to move an armature which releases the counterweight and allows it to
act upon the carbons.
According to one modification of this Invention the electro magnet itself serves
as a counterweight, this arrangement forming an important feature of the
Invention.
The electro magnet, which with the working parts immediately connected there-
with is supported by a movable brass frame, is provided with an armature hinged
to a fixed point on the frame, and having a catch which when the armature is in

page_text: its normal position and not acted upon by the electro magnet, comes in contact with
and arrests the motion of a pair of vanes; the latter are carried on a spindle having
a pinion which forms a portion of a train of gearing, the last wheel of which engages
with a stationary rack; so long therefore as the vanes are intercepted, the descent
of the frame carrying the electro magnet is arrested; when however the armature is
attracted by the electro magnet and releases the vanes, the gearing is free to rotate,
and the frame with the magnet and clockwork descends gently by its own gravity
until the vanes are stopped in consequence of the armature being released by the
electro magnet, and allowed to resume its original position. The wheel which is in
gear with the rack is loose upon its axis, being connected to it by means of a ratchet
wheel and pawl.
The sensitiveness of the armature is regulated by two springs suitably arranged
for this purpose. The frame is suspended at one end of a chain which is carried
over a stationary pulley fast on an axis supported by the main frame of the appa-
ratus, whilst the other end of the said chain hangs suspended by the side of the
frame carrying the electro magnet.
The pulley is fast upon its spindle, so that when it rotates as the chain is drawn
down by the action of the apparatus herein before described, it causes a second pulley
fast on the same axis to partake of its motion; a third pulley is mounted loosely on
the same axis, having a smooth groove. An endless chain is caused to make a com-
plete turn round the second pulley, and is carried over a suitable guide pulley
round a pulley fast on a spindle carrying a toothed wheel for actuating one of the
carbon rods; then it returns round another guide pulley to the third pulley herein-
before referred to, whence it is carried over a suitable guide pulley to a pulley fast
the
on a spindle carrying another toothed wheel for actuating the other carbon rod;
chain is thence carried round another guide pulley back to the second pulley herein-
before referred to. A positive rotary motion in opposite directions may be imparted
to the second and third pulleys in order to equalise the tension on the endless
chain; for this purpose it is simply necessary to fix them upon two distinct axes
carrying toothed wheels of equal diameter, whereby a rotary motion in opposite
directions is obtained. The pulley carrying the chain connected to the electro
magnet or counterweight is in this case fast on the axis of either the second or third
pulleys.
Motion is imparted to each of the carbon rods from the toothed wheels, herein-
before referred to, fast on the same spindles as the pulleys driven by the endless
chain by means of two toothed wheels fast upon spindles carrying grooved rollers,
and rotating in the same direction. The carbon rods are each retained in the
grooves of these rollers by means of a pair of smaller rollers, which are pressed
against them on the opposite side by a thin steel blade spring, the tension of which
may be regulated by means of screws; these screws are provided with squares under
their heads, which fit into square holes in the springs so as to prevent them from
turning. When it is desired to turn the screws it is requisite to bend down the
spring so as to free the square part of the screw.
The arms carrying the carbon holders are made telescopic, so as to slide upon the
supports in order to admit of the adjustment of the points and to enable the tension
of the chain to be regulated at the same time.
According to another modification the electro magnet or coil is fixed to the main
frame of the apparatus together with all the parts immediately connected with it,
and an ordinary counter weight is employed suspended by a chain, and which is
passed over a stationary pulley carried on the main frame of the apparatus, and
which imparts the requisite motion to the carbon rods in the manner herein before
described with reference to the first modification.
The armature of the electro inagnet is arranged so as to release a vane connected
with a train of wheels similar to that herein before described, but which control the
descent of the counterweight by arresting the motion of the pulley over which the
chain carrying the counterweight is passed.
In the apparatus arranged according to either modification the winding up is

page_text: effected by simply pulling the loose end of the chain so as to draw up the counter-
weight.
When it is required to separate the points in order to relight the lamp it is simply
necessary to provide a small roller suspended by a blade and acting as a tension
roller upon the endless chain, and upon which a rod is caused to act (so as to stretch
the part of the chain which draws the carbons together). This rod is connected to
an armature controlled by a second electro magnet placed near the one first herein-
before referred to, the said second electro magnet acting only when the arc does not
exist, and ceasing to act, on the contrary, at the moment of contact, whereupon the
carbons are separated.
According to a further modification of this Invention, in which the electro magnet
itself forms the counterweight, two electro magnets are employed, composed of two
cores jointed together, forming jaws around which two different wires are coiled, one
of such wires being the wire employed for the passage of the current producing the
light, and the other being a wire for the passage of a current branching off from the
former, and offering a calculated resistance. These electro magnets are fitted upon
a jointed base capable of sliding freely upon a vertical metal rod, which is so
arranged as to admit of its being caught by the jaws formed by the bent extremities
of the cores in order to arrest the descent of the magnets, and support then in any
position.
The electro magnets are constituted by a wire conveying the lighting current,
and the prolongations with which the cores of these electro magnets are provided
are covered by coils of a wire branching off from or connected to the other wire; on
either side of the carbons the poles are bent at their extremities, so as to be
capable of pressing against an iron rod which supports the magnets, acting as a
counter weight.
When no current is passing through the apparatus the jaws are inert, and the
electro magnet forming the counter weight acting upon the carbons of the lamp
brings them into contact.
When the lighting current commences to pass along the wire the electro magnets
become charged, and the cores respectively magnetise their prolongations.
At this moment a very weak branch current passes along the other wire, and
produces no effect on the cores, but in proportion as the carbons are consumed and
the distance between the points increased, the power of the branch current is also
increased, and as the wire is coiled on the cores in such a manner as to counter-act
or neutralise the magnetisation produced in the cores by the lighting current passing
along the wire, the force with which the jaws press against the rod is propor-
tionately diminished until the weight of the magnet causes them to slip downwards,
and draws the carbons nearer together, as then the lighting current increases in
intensity; the branch current is correspondingly diminished, and the jaws again
press the rod and arrest the descent of the weight until the lighting current is
again impeded, when the operations hereinbefore described are repeated, and so on
in succession.
When the lamp is extinguished the current passes along the branch wire only
and magnetises the electro magnet, but it is so calculated as to be incapable of pro-
ducing sufficient pressure to arrest the descent of the weight, which continues to
descend, and brings the carbons together in order to relight the lamp.
It is not essential that the rod should be composed of iron, provided that the jaws
are in sufficiently close proximity to attract one another; and the two wires, that is
to say, the wire for the passage of the lighting current and the one for the passage
of the branch current, may be wound upon the same part of the cores.
The rod may be either smooth or toothed, and rollers may be provided in order
to facilitate the sliding motion.
A branch wire only may be coiled on the cores, in which case the apparatus acts
in the manner previously described.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Létters Patent filed by
the said John Henry Johnson in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 11th
June 1879.*
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of Middlesex,
Gentleman. "IMPROVEMENTS IN REGULATORS FOR ELECTRIC LIGHT." A commu-
nication from abroad by François Ernest de Mersanne and Emile Bertin, both of
Paris, in the Republic of France.
The said Invention relates to an improved regulator for electric lamps, by means
of which the motion of the carbon points is produced by the action of a counter-
weight suspended by a chain passed over the rollers which feed forward the carbons,
and which only move the carbons forward when such motion has been rendered
necessary by the wearing away or consumption of the points.
For this purpose an electro magnet is placed in communication with the main
current, so that when the carbon points are worn away or consumed, and conse-
quently further apart, the additional resistance to the passage of the current causes
a greater quantity of electricity to pass into the electro magnet, and enables the
latter to move an armature which releases the counterweight, and allows it to act
upon the carbons.
The said Invention also embraces other modifications of apparatus constructed
upon the same principle, as hereinafter described.
And in order that the said Invention may be fully understood I shall now pro-
ceed more particularly to describe the same, and for that purpose shall refer to the
several Figures on the annexed Sheet of Drawings, the same letters of reference
indicating corresponding parts in all the corresponding Figures.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings represents a longitudinal section of a
regulating apparatus constructed according to one modification of the said Inven-
tion; Figure 2 is a corresponding clevation at right angles to Figure 1 of a portion
of the said apparatus.
Figures 3, 4, and 5 are respectively a longitudinal section and a front and a side
elevation of parts of a regulating apparatus constructed according to another modi-
fication of the said Invention.
Figure 6 is an elevation partly in section of an electro magnet forming part of a
regulating apparatus arranged according to another modification of the said
Invention.
Figure 7 is a side elevation partly in section, Figure 8 is an end elevation, and
Figure 9 is a detail representing part of a regulating apparatus constructed according
to a further modification of the said Invention.
Figure 10 also represents another modification of part of a regulating apparatus
constructed according to the said Invention.
In the arrangement illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, A is a vertical standard or
support having two arms B, B', serving to support adjustable carbon holders C, C¹,
which are capable of sliding upon the arms B, B1, for the purpose of adjusting the
position of the carbon rods D, D¹, employed for the production of the light. The
support A serves as a guide to a frame a, which is suspended by a chain w and
carries an electro magnet b provided with an armature e hinged to a fixed point at
cl on the frame a. This armature is provided with a catch c, which when the
armature is in its normal position and not acted upon by the electro magnet b,
comes in contact with and arrests the motion of a pair of revolving vanes & fast on
a spindle d. Upon the spindle is also secured a pinion d² in gear with a wheel g
fast upon a spindle g¹; upon this spindle is also carried a ratchet wheel h, connected
to the wheel g, and on the said spindle g¹ is loosely mounted a toothed wheel e pro-
vided with a pawl which engages with the teeth of the ratchet wheel h. The wheel e
is in gear with a stationary rack f, and the descent of the frame a is therefore
arrested so long as the wheel e is prevented from rotating, and consequently of
travelling downwards along the rack f by reason of the catch c engaging with the

page_text: vanes d, and thereby locking the pinion d², toothed wheel g, and ratchet wheel h.
When however the armature c is attracted by the electro magnet b and releases the
vanes d, the wheel e is free to rotate, and the frame a with the magnet and clock-
work descends gently by their own gravity until the vanes & are again stopped in
consequence of the armature being released by the electro magnet, and allowed to
resume its original position. The armature c is provided with a pendent arm c³
connected to two springs i, the tension of which is capable of being adjusted by
means of screws & in order to regulate the sensitiveness of the armature c. The
chain wis carried over a stationary pulley j fast on a spindle 7, and supports the
frame a at one end, whilst the other end of the said chain hangs loosely at k,
suspended from the pulley ; above.
The pulley rotates when the chain w is drawn down by the action of the appa-
ratus hereinbefore described, and causes a second pulley n, also fast on the spindle 7,
to partake of its motion; a third pulley m having a smooth groove is mounted
loosely on the same spindle.
o is an endless chain which is caused to make a complete turn round the pulley
m, and is carried over a guide pulley 1 round a pulley 2 fast on a spindle Q; then
it returns round another guide pulley 3 to the pulley n, when it is carried over a
guide pulley 4 to a pulley 5 fast on a spindle Q¹; the chain is thence carried round
another guide pulley 6 back to the pulley m. When therefore the pulley n is
rotated, a rotary motion is imparted to the spindles Q, Q. On these spindles are
respectively secured two toothed wheels q, ql, which serve to impart motion to two
other toothed wheels and fast upon spindles 8 and 8, the latter carrying grooved
rollers P and p¹, the rollers p of which are thus caused to rotate in an opposite
direction to the rollers p¹.
The rollers p, p¹, support the carbon rods D, D¹, which are retained in the grooves
of the rollers by smaller rollers t, t¹, which are pressed against the said rods on the
opposite side by thin steel blade springs v, the tension of which may be regulated
by means of screws v¹. These screws are provided with squares under their heads
which fit into square holes in the springs vso as to prevent them from turning when
it is desired to turn the screws requisite to bend down the spring so as to free the
square part of the screws.
The carbon holders C, C¹, are capable of sliding upon the arms B, B', so as to
admit of the adjustment of the points and to enable the tension of the chain to be
regulated at the same time.
The apparatus operates in the following manner :-
When the points of the carbon rods D, D', are at a proper distance apart, the
amount of electricity circulating in the coils of the electro magnet b is insufficient
to enable this magnet to exert any influence upon its armature c, but when the
points of the rods D, D¹, become consumed or worn away, the increased resistance
to the passage of the current in that direction causes a sufficient quantity of elec-
tricity to circulate in the coils of the electro magnet b to enable this magnet to
attract the armature c, and the chain wis thereby drawn down, as hereinbefore
described. Rotary motion is thence imparted to the pulley ; and to the pulley n,
and the chain o is caused to move in the direction indicated by the arrows, thereby
transmitting the requisite rotary motion through the pulleys 2 and 5 to the rollers
p and p so as to cause the carbon rods D, D¹, to move towards each other until
their points are in sufficiently close proximity. The resistance to the passage of the
current between the carbon points will then be reduced, so that the amount of elec-
tricity circulating in the coils of the electro magnet b will again be insufficient to
enable this magnet to attract the armature c, which will consequently arrest the
motion of the apparatus by causing the catch c² to engage with the vanes d until
the passage of the current is again impeded by the wearing away of the carbon
points, when the operations hereinbefore described will be repeated, and so on in
succession.
A positive rotary motion in opposite directions may be imparted to the pulleys m
and n in order to equalise the tension on the endless chains o; for this purpose it is

page_text: simply necessary to fix them upon two distinct axes carrying toothed wheels of equal
diameter, whereby a rotary motion in opposite directions is obtained. The pulley ;
carrying the chain connected to the electro magnet or counterweight is in this case
fast on the axes of either the pulley m or the pulley n.
According to another modification, which is illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5, the
electro magnet b is fixed to the support A, together with all the parts immediately
connected with it, and an ordinary counterweight u is employed suspended by a
chain w, which is passed over the stationary pulley j, and imparts the requisite
motion to the carbon rods in the manner hereinbefore described with reference to
the first modification.
The armature of the electro-inagnet is arranged so as to release a vane d con-
nected with a train of wheels similar to that hereinbefore described, but which
control the descent of the counterweight by arresting the motion of the pulley j,
over which the chain carrying the counterweight is passed.
In the apparatus arranged according to either modification the winding up is
effected by simply pulling the loose end of the chain w so as to draw up the counter-
weight or its equivalent, that is to say, the electro magnet with its appurtenances
which forms the counterweight.
When it is required to separate the points of the carbons in order to relight the
lamp, it is simply necessary to provide small rollers z, z, suspended by a blade z¹,
and acting as tension rollers upon the endless chain o.
Upon the one or the other of these rollers is caused to act a rod (not shewn in the
Drawing), so as to stretch the part of the chain which draws the carbons together;
this rod is connected to an armature controlled by a second electro magnet placed
near the electro magnet b, the said second electro magnet acting only when the arc
does not exist, and ceasing to act, on the contrary, at the moment of contact, where-
upon the carbons are separated.
According to a further modification, which is illustrated in Figure 6, the electro
magnet itself forms the counterweight, as in the arrangement illustrated in Figures
1 and 2. In the present case however two electro magnets are employed, composed
of two cores jointed together forming jaws around which two different wires are
coiled, one of such wires being the wire employed for the passage of the current
producing the light, and the other being a wire for the passage of a current branching
off from the former, and offering a calculated resistance. These electro magnets are
fitted upon a jointed base capable of sliding freely upon a vertical metal rod, which
is so arranged as to adinit of its being caught by the jaws formed by the bent extre-
mities of the cores in order to arrest the descent of the magnets, and support them in
any position.
C, E, and F, D, are the two electro magnets, around the cores of which is wound
a wire S, T, conveying the lighting current.
These cores are jointed together at o, and are provided with prolongations A,
B, covered with coils of a wire x, y, branching off from or connected to the
wire S, T, on either side of the carbons, and the poles A and B are bent at their
extremities so as to be capable of pressing against an iron rod M, N, which supports
the apparatus, acting as a counter-weight.
When no current is passing through the electro magnets the jaws A and B are
inert, and the carbon points of the lamp are maintained in contact by the action of
the apparatus forming the counterweight.
When the lighting current commences to pass along the wire S, T, the electro
magnets C, E, F, D, become charged, and respectively magnetise their prolongations
A and B; at this moment a very weak branch current passes along the wire x, y,
producing however no effect on the cores of the magnets, but in proportion as the
carbons are consumed and the distance between the points increases, the power of
the branch current is also increased, and as the wire x, y, is coiled on the cores in
such a manner as to counteract or neutralise the magnetisation produced in the cores
of the magnets by the lighting current passing along the wire S, T, the force with
which the jaws A and B press against the rod M, N, is proportionately diminished

page_text: until the weight of the magnets causes them to slip downwards and draws the
carbons into closer proximity, as then the lighting current increases in intensity,
the branch current is correspondingly diminished, and the jaws A and B again
press the rod M, N, and arrest the descent of the weight until the lighting current is
again impeded, when the operations herein before described aro repeated, and so on
in succession.
When the lamp is extinguished the current passes along the branch wire only
and magnetises the electro magnet, but it is so calculated as to be incapable of
producing sufficient pressure to arrest the descent of the weight, which continues to
descend, and brings the carbons together in order to relight the lamp.
It is not essential that the rod M, N, should be composed of iron, provided that
the jaws are in sufficiently close proximity to attract one another, and the two
wires, that is to say, the wire for the passage of the lighting current and the
one for the passage of the branch current, may be wound upon the same part of the
cores.
The rod M, N, may be either smooth or toothed, and rollers may be provided in
order to facilitate the sliding motion. A branch wire only may be coiled on the
cores, in which case the apparatus acts in the manner previously described.
The carbon holders of electric lamps to which the regulating apparatus con
structed according to the said Invention is applied may be situate at a distance
from the regulating apparatus proper without in anywise affecting its efficiency.
It is evident that in lieu of using friction rollers for imparting motion to the
carbons, other devices, such for example as screws, may be employed for this
purpose.
Figures 7, 8, and 9 illustrate arrangements of this description, in which a screw
is employed for imparting the requisite motion to the carbons. In this case the
chain connected to the counterweight is carried over a pulley placed near the end of
the carbon; for example, the carbons D, D¹, are passed through rings or collars A, to
which rotary motion is imparted by level pinions B in gear with level wheels B¹
fast on the collars A. The pinnons B are fast upon spindles b, driven by pulleys C,
and motion is communicated to the pulleys C by a chain c passing over a pulley G,
to which motion is imparted by means of a chain connected to a counterweight, as
hereinbefore described. An arrangement consisting of an endless chain passed over
a pulley on each of the collars A and over two pulleys arranged in the place of each
of the pulleys C may be employed for transmitting the motion to the collars A in
lieu of the pulleys C, pinions B, and wheels B'.
A strip of metal H coiled in the form of a helix enclosed in a tube T is attached
at one end to one side of each of the collars A, so as to partake of the motion of the
latter, and is supported at the other end by a plug F provided if required with a
groovef for the reception of a stud f¹. The carbon rods are inserted in the centre
of the respective helices H, and a pin his passed through the extremity of each rod
in such a manner that the extremities of the said pin engage with the screw formed
by the coils of the helix, and also with slots formed in the sides of the tube T
(Figure 8), so that the rod is prevented from turning on its axis and the pin h is
compelled to travel along the coils of the helix when the latter rotates, and propel
the rod in the direction of its axis.
In this modification of the apparatus the two carbon holders P of similar con-
struction are connected by a bayonet joint to a socket provided on the under side of
the case containing the mechanism, and are capable of being fixed in any required
position by means of a set screw S, so as to enable the carbon points to be accurately
adjusted in their proper position.
According to another modification, represented in Figure 10, motion is directly
imparted to the carbons by an endless chain travelling over several guide pulleys,
and extending to the outer extremity of a guide tube enclosing the carbon rod. R is
the chain, which receives its motion from a pulley G, and is passed over two guide
pulleys U, then over two other guide pulleys V and round a pulley X at the end of
the guide tube T.

page_text: The extremity of the carbon rod is connected by any suitable means with the
chain R so as to partake of its motion. In order to connect the rod to the chain it
is preferred to employ a hook t attached to the extremity of the carbon, and which
is capable of engaging with facility with a link of the chain R.
Having now described and particularly ascertained the nature of the said Inven-
tion, and the manner in which the same is or may be used or carried into effect, I
would observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and
thereof claim as the Invention secured to me by the, hereinbefore in part recited
Letters Patent is,-
First. The general arrangements and combinations of parts forming regulators for
electric light, in which the action of a counterweight is regulated by means of an
electro magnet arranged according to one of the modes herein set forth, the said
electro magnet being capable of serving itself, as the counterweight and its action
being supplemented when required by the employment of a second electro magnet
acting upon a tension pulley in order to produce the separation of the carbon points,
all substantially as hereinbefore described.
Secondly. The application and use of an electro magnet or coil constituting the
counterweight in order to effect the bringing together of the carbon points automa-
tically, substantially as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 of
the accompanying Drawings.
Thirdly. The application and use of stationary electro magnet or coil for auto-
matically releasing the counterweight, serving to draw the carbons together, sub-
stantially as herein before described, and illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5 of the
Drawings.
Fourthly. The employment of an electro magnet or of a coil with double action
of magnetisation and demagnetisation, and the cores of which are covered at one
part with the wire conducting the lighting current, and at another part with a
branch wire offering a calculated resistance, substantially as and for the purposes
hereinbefore described.
Fifthly. The application and use of an electro magnet constituting a counter-
weight, and the cores of which are jointed and form jaws in order to allow or arrest
the descent of the weight, which is capable of sliding or moving along a rod or bar
for the purpose of effecting the drawing together of the carbons, all substantially
as herein before described, and illustrated in Figure 6 of the accompanying
Drawings.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Henry Johnson, have to this my Specifica-
tion set my hand and scal, this Seventh day of June, One thousand eight
hundred and seventy nine.
J. HENRY JOHNSON. (L.S.)