Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 12th July, 1887.
Specification Accepted, 19th Aug., 1887.
[Communicated from abroad by GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, Junior, of Pittsburg,
County of Alleghany, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America,
Engineer.]
1, WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON F.C.S. M.I.M.E. of the Agency for Foreign Patent
Solicitors 6, Lord Street Liverpool and 6, Bank Street, Manchester, both in the
County of Lancaster and 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex, Civil
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:-
The invention relates to an organization of apparatus for the distribution of electric
energy wherein alternating electric currents derived from any convenient source of
energy are transmitted to a point more or less distant, and are there made to pass
through the primary circuit of one or more induction coils or inductoriums, while
the currents induced in the secondary circuits of said coils or inductoriums are
caused to act upon translating devices, such, for instance, as incandescent electric
lamps. In the ordinary operation of such a system of distribution as that herein
before described, if the whole or any part of the translating devices are withdrawn
or removed from the secondary circuit, the resistance of such circuit is altered.
Such a change of resistance in the secondary circuit at once gives rise to a variation
in the counter-electromotive force developed by the action of the primary current in
the primary circuit of the inductorium, herein after termed the "converter," which is
due directly to the increment or decrement of magnetization in the iron core. By
this means a variation of the strength of current traversing the primary coil is
effected, which in turn gives rise to a proportional variation in the electro-motive
force of the induced currents in the secondary circuit.
The object of this invention is to provide an automatic means of regulation,
whereby a constant difference of potential may at all times be maintained on the
secondary circuit or circuits of the apparatus, irrespective of the amount of work
i17

page_text: which is being done therein, from which it results that the mechanical energy
consumed in operating the system may be materially economized. In general terms,
the invention consists in an apparatus whereby a current of variable strength is
caused to traverse the primary coil of the converter, and is automatically regulated
through the instrumentality of the counter-electromotive force developed within the
converter itself, the variations of which force are caused by, and dependent upon the
variations of resistance in the secondary circuit. To accomplish this result, there is
included in the main or primary circuit of the apparatus, an electric generator which
must be capable of producing an approximately constant electric current in a closed
circuit of varying resistance together with a regulator, which comprises one or more
pairs of differential helices, normally tending to produce equal and opposite
magnetisms in a soft-iron core. This is so arranged as to constitute an automatic
current-regulating device for the converter proper. The primary coil of the
converter is placed in multiple are with one of these opposing coils. Assuming in
the first instance the secondary circuit of the converter to be open, its resistance will
be infinite, and hence there will be developed in the primary coil a counter electro-
motive force of inductive resistance of maximum value; this will cause the primary
current to traverse both the regulating coils in the primary circuit by reason of the
inductive resistance encountered in the primary coil of the converter, which in effect
shunts one of the two normally opposing coils of the regulator. The effect of this
current upon the iron-core of the converter, which is surrounded by the primary coil
will be nearly null, so that little or no effective magnetism will be developed therein.
If now the circuit of the secondary coil of the converter be completed by a conductor
offering a given resistance, the counter electro-motive force developed in the primary
circuit of the converter will be correspondingly diminished. If another conductor
be attached to the secondary, parallel or in multiple are with the first, or its resistance
in any other manner be diminished, the counter-electromotive force of the primary
will necessarily be reduced in the same proportion. Now it is essential to the
successful operation of the apparatus that the difference of potential at the respective
terminals of the secondary coil of the converter be maintained approximately
constant, and this without reference to any changes of resistance which may occur
in its external circuit. For this purpose it is necessary to correspondingly vary
the effective strength of current traversing the primary circuit, which is in effect
the same thing as the maintaining of a constant difference of potential between the
opposite terminals of the primary coil. This is to a certain extent accomplished by
the automatic action of the apparatus itself for the reason that each successive
decrement in the counter-electromotive force causes the primary coil to offer less and
less resistance to the shunted primary current, so that, acting as it does as a shunt
for one of the main line coils, the primary coil will receive a continually increasing
proportion of the whole current. The moment that the normal inductive balance
between the two opposing coils of the regulator is disturbed, the coil preponderating
over the other acts to it as a primary to a secondary coil and vice versa; so that the
value of the current shunted is not simply that due to Ohm's law, but in addition
that which is due to the electromotive force developed within the weaker coil by the
inductive action of the core under the influence of the stronger one. As the actual
amount of work done or energy absorbed increases in the secondary coil, the effective
strength of current derived from the primary generator must also be increased.
Now as the resistance of the shunt increases and the current is partially diverted
from the shunted regulator coil, the equilibrium between the magnetic forces
developed in the iron core surrounded by these coils is disturbed, and a counter-
electromotive force is developed in these coils. If this counter-electromotive force
is increased, it is obvious that a higher electromotive force must be used to force a
unit of current through the primary circuit, and under the conditions herein after
stated the primary generator automatically supplies this increase. This electromotive
force therefore varies inversely as the resistance of the primary circuit of the
converter but is directly proportionate to the work required to be done in the
secondary circuit. It has been stated that the primary generator is so constructed

page_text: as to maintain a constant current in its own circuit, and hence the potential
maintained at the terminals of the secondary circuit will necessarily remain constant.
Referring to Figure 1 in the Drawings, A represents a magneto or a dynamo-
electric generator or other convenient source of electricity. The generator is
designed to transmit alternating or intermittent currents upon a main line L, and it
is constructed in any well-known or suitable manner for the purpose of automatically
maintaining a constant current in its external circuit under conditions of varying
resistance. An alternating machine whose field-magnets are supplied by a dynamo A
and provided with any suitable system of automatic regulation, as shown at A* for
instance, will be found well adapted for this purpose.
An induction apparatus B of suitable character, herein termed a converter, has its
primary coil B¹ included in the primary circuit L. The secondary coil B² is included
in a secondary circuit 1, 12, in which any desired translating device such for instance,
as incandescent electric lamps D¹, D², and D³, etcetera, may be included in multiple
are as shown in the Figure. As the various translating devices are inserted or
withdrawn from the secondary circuit the resistance of the said circuit is varied, and
the counter-electromotive force developed in the primary circuit is also varied.
It is essential that means be provided for varying the amount of current traversing
the coil B¹ as the resistance of the circuit 1, 12, is increased or decreased, or what is
in effect the same thing, for maintaining a constant difference of potential between
the opposite terminals of the coil B₁, so that when the resistance of the secondary is
reduced to its minimum a maximum current will traverse the primary coil B¹, and,
on the other hand, when the secondary circuit is entirely open or disconnected, a
minimum current will traverse the primary, while between these limits the effective
strength of the current in the primary circuit shall vary in direct proportion to the
resistance offered by the secondary. For this purpose two opposing coils E¹ and E
are applied, by means of any suitable or convenient arrangement of differential
winding, to a soft-iron core F, and both these differential or normally opposing coils
are included in the primary or generator circuit. A current traversing both of these
coils tends to develop equal and opposite polarities in the iron core, and therefore no
magnetic effects whatever are developed. The conductor 1, leading from one
terminal of the primary coil B', connects at a point 2 between the two regulator
coils E¹ and E². A conductor 3 leading from the remaining terminal of the primary
coil, connects with the remaining terminal of the regulator coil E³, at the point 4.
In this manner the primary coil B¹ serves in effect as a shunt or bridge for the
regulator coil E³. It results from this, that the effective strength of current
traversing the regulator coil E' is determined by the resistance offered by the coil B¹,
and it will vary proportionately to the variations in the resistance of the last
mentioned coil. Thus if the counter-electromotive force sometimes called the
inductive resistance in the coil B¹ be at its maximum, approximately the whole of
the current of the primary circuit will traverse the regulator coil E2, and the resultant
effect of the current in the two coils E¹ and E2 will be nearly zero or null, so that
little or no magnetism will be developed in the iron core F. Thus a minimum
amount of energy will be absorbed in generating the current traversing the primary
circuit, and the dynamo generator will offer practically no mechanical resistance to
its driving motor. Assuming now that a single translating device, for instance an
electric lamp D¹, be included in the circuit of the secondary, then the counter-
electromotive force or inductive resistance will be correspondingly diminished in the
primary coil B', and a proportionate amount of current will be diverted from the
regulator coil E through the coil B'. This will give rise to a difference of potential
between the terminals of the secondary coil of the converter; at the same time it
will disturb the magnetic equilibrium of the core F and a counter-electromotive force
will be established in the surrounding coils whose value will equal

page_text: increases its electro motive force, in order to maintain the strength of current in the
primary circuit. A still further reduction in the resistance of the secondary circuit
(as for instance by the introduction in multiple arc of a second lamp D³) will cause
a further decrement in the counter electromotive force of the primary B¹, and a still
further increment in the effective strength of the current traversing the primary will
be occasioned. This in turn augments the counter-electromotive force in the coils E¹
and E on account of E' equalling E2+2 lamps, that is because E¹-E' is greater
than before.
An approximate constant difference of potential will therefore be maintained between
the terminals of the primary as well as of the secondary coils throughout the entire
range of working.
In practice it has been found that the lights may be included in multiple arc between
the conductors 1 and 3 as indicated in dotted lines, the induction coil being dispensed
with and the ends of the two conductors 1 and 3 being disconnected from each other.
The changes in resistance occasioned by introducing and withdrawing the lamps,
between the conductors 1 and 3 will then modify the counter-electromotive force due
to the magnetization of the core F. A sufficient difference of potential will thus be
occasioned between the points 2 and 4 to operate the lamps and this difference of
potential will be directly dependent upon the lamps in circuit.
Instead of causing the changes of resistance in the secondary circuit to cause an
automatic regulation of the supply in the primary circuit, the induction coil in the
sense in which that term is usually employed may be sometimes dispensed with, and
the currents employed in the translating circuit, derived directly from the main line
circuit as shown in Figure 2.
The regulator comprises one or more pairs of differential helices normally tending
to produce equal and opposite magnetisms in a soft-iron core. This is so arranged as
to constitute an automatic current regulating device. The conductors leading to the
translating devices are connected with the respective terminals of one of the opposing
coils of the current regulator, and they thereby form a shunt-circuit around this coil,
the resistance of which is dependent upon the lamps or other translating devices
included in the circuit.
Included in the main line L is a regulating and converting device consisting of two
opposing coils E¹ and E' surrounding a core F to which they are applied by any con-
venient or suitable arrangement of differential winding. A current traversing both of
these coils tends to develop nearly equal and opposite polarities in the iron core, and
therefore practically no magnetic effects are developed. A conductor 1 leads from a
point 2 between two regulating coils E1 and E2, and a similar conductor 3 leads from
a point 4 at the remaining terminal of the coil E. Conductors d', d², d³ etcetera, are
designed to lead from the conductor 1 to the conductor 3 in multiple arc, and in these
the translating devices such for instant as incandescent lamps D1, D2, D3, etcetera, are
designed to be included. The connections of the conductors d', d², d³ etcetera, will be
made and interrupted by suitable switches and other devices b', 63, 6 etcetera. In this
manner the translating circuit in effect forms a bridge or shunt for the regulator
coil E. It results from this that the effective strength of the current traversing the coil
is determined in the first instance by the difference in the resistance offered by the
conductors 2 and 3 respectively and will vary proportionately to the variations in their
resistance, but a second factor is immediately introduced determining the current which
will traverse the translating circuit namely, the counter-electromotive force which is
immediately developed by reason of the disturbance of the balance between the effects
of the coils E' and E². This counter-electromotive force increases the resistance
offered to a current traversing the coil E2, and causes an electromotive force to be
developed sufficient to operate the incandescing lamps or other translating devices
included between the conductors 1 and 3. If the resistance of the translating circuit
be increased or decreased by including more or less of the lamps in circuit, then will
the amount of current shunted be correspondingly decreased or increased, and a corre-
sponding variation will occur in the resistance due to the opposing coil of the regulator.
These variations in resistance act to automatically vary the electromotive force of the

page_text: current generated, and it is evident that the limits of this variation will be between a
maximum, when the whole current is shunted around the coil E², and a minimum,
when no current is shunted; so also the variation in the current produced will be
between the same limits. A minimum amount of energy therefore will always be
absorbed in generating the current and the current generated will be, at all times,
dependent upon that consumed by the translating devices.
The work expended at this point of local distribution is directly proportionate to the
work absorbed, and the same efficiency is secured from a fraction as from a unit of work
done.
It is evident that more than one translating and corresponding regulating system
may be applied to the generator circuit, and in Figure 2 two additional systems are
represented. The organization of the systems is essentially the same as that already
described. When a second system is brought into operation by the introduction of
a translating device, as for instance a lamp D¹ connected with the regulator at B', then
a proportional current is diverted and consumed in operating that lamp; and the
resistance of the generator circuit is increased. A current of increased electro-motive
force is thereupon generated.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, as communicated to me by my
foreign correspondent, I declare that what I claim is :-
1. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a source of electricity,
translating devices operated by electric energy derived from said source, and an electro-
magnetic device consisting of a mass of inductive material and coils of wire applied
thereto included in said circuit, varying the counter-electromotive force established in
said circuit in an inverse proportion to the number of translating devices in operation.
2. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a source of electricity,
a circuit supplied by said source of electricity, and electro-magnetic device consisting
of a mass of inductive material and coils of insulated wire applied thereto included in
said circuit and establishing a variable-counter-electromotive force therein, an
inductorium having its primary coil connected with said source and translating devices
included in its secondary circuit.
3. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a source of electricity,
a circuit supplied by said source of electricity, an inductorium having its primary coil
connected with said source, a secondary circuit for the same having a variable resist-
ance, and an inductive device for establishing a counter electromotive force in said
circuit, and thereby modifying the strength of current traversing the primary coil in
an inverse proportion to the changes in the resistance of the secondary circuit.
4. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a source of electricity,
a circuit supplied by said source of electricity, two opposing coils included in said
circuit, a core under the influence of said coils, a shunt for one of said coils and an
inductorium having its primary coil included in said shunt.
5. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a source of
electricity, a circuit supplied by said source of electricity, two opposing magnetizing
coils included therein, a core of soft-iron under the influence of said opposing coils,
a shunt-circuit around one of said opposing coils, an inductorium having its primary
circuit included in said shunt and translating devices included in circuit with the
secondary coils.
6. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, with an electric circuit,
of an induction coil having its primary coil in said circuit, a circuit for the secondary
coil, means for varying the resistance of the secondary circuit, a soft-iron core, and
two opposing coils acting thereupon, one of which coils is included, between the
terminals of the primary coil.
7. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of an electric generator
or other source of electricity, a circuit therefor, means for automatically regulating the
current produced thereby, two opposing helices included in said circuit, a core under
the influence of said coils, a shunt circuit around one of said coils, an inductorium

page_text: having its primary coil included in said shunt, translating devices included in the
secondary circuit of the inductorium in multiple are and means for cutting the same in
and out of circuit.
8. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, with a source of
alternating or intermittent electric currents and a circuit therefor, of a converter
included in said circuit, translating devices in the secondary circuit of the converter,
a magnetizing coil included in circuit with said converter, a second coil forming a
shunt around the converter and a mass of soft-iron acted upon oppositely by electric
currents traversing said coils.
9. The herein before described method of electric regulation and distribution which
consists in generating a current having an electromotive force dependent upon the
resistance encountered thereby, varying such resistance inversely as the resistance
encountered in coverting the current into currents of different potential is varied, and
varying the resistance encountered in conversion directly as the resistance encountered
in translating the last named currents into another from of energy is varied.
10. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a source of alter-
nating or intermittent electric currents, a soft-iron core, two opposing coils included in
the circuit of said source and surrounding said core, a shunt circuit around one of
said coils and one or more translating devices included in said shunt circuit.
11. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of a source of electricity,
a soft-iron core, opposing coils surrounding said core and included in the circuit of
said source of electricity, conductors leading from the respective terminals of one of
said coils, translating devices and means for including the same in multiple arc
between said conductors.
12. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a source of alternating
electric currents, a main line, means for creating a variable counter-electromotive
force in said main line, branch or shunt circuits of said main line, translating devices
included in such branch or shunt circuits and means for simultaneously modifying the
resistance of the branch or shunt and the resistance of the main line at a point between
the terminals of the branch or shunt in direct proportion.
Dated this 11th day of July 1087
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.