Year: 1887

page_text: [Communicated from abroad by GEORGE WESTINGHOUSE, Junior, of Pittsburg, County
of Alleghany, State of Pennsylvania, United States of America, Engineer.]
I, 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 a system of circuits and apparatus in which alternating,
intermittent or pulsatory currents are employed for operating translating devices.
The special object of the invention is to provide convenient means for securing
a constant, or an approximately constant difference of potential at the terminals of
different groups of translating devices connected in the circuit.
The invention may be described in general terms as follows:-From a generator
or other source, alternating, intermittent or pulsatory currents are derived. Such
currents are transmitted either directly or through one or more electric converters,
to two conductors extending to points at or near which the translating devices are to
be located. The translating devices are arranged in groups, one terminal of each
translating device in the group being connected with one of the conductors referred
to, while the remaining terminals of the devices in that group are all connected
together. The devices in the second group each have one terminal connected with
the second conductor and their remaining terminals united with the connected
terminals of the first group. One coil of an electric converter or induction coil
is connected between the united terminals of one group of the translating devices
and one of the conductors, and the other coil is connected between the united

page_text: terminals and the other conductor. In case it is desired to maintain the same
difference of potential at the terminals of the different translating devices of any
two different groups thus formed, then the coils of the corresponding converter
are preferably of equal value; if, however, it is desired to supply currents of a
greater difference of potential to one group than to the other, then the coil connected
in parallel circuit therewith is of greater length or greater inductive value.
The invention will be described more particularly in connection with the accom-
panying drawing, which is a diagram illustrating a general organization of circuits
and apparatus adapted to carry out the invention.
Referring to the drawing, A represents a suitable source of alternating, intermittent
or pulsatory currents; the respective poles of this source are connected by a
conductor L through the primary coil p¹ of an electric converter C. The secondary
coil of this converter has its respective terminals connected with conductors L'
and L leading to points where it is desired to employ the currents for operating
translating devices, such for instance as incandescent electric lamps d', d¹ and d², d².
The translating devices d', d¹ are connected in the circuit of conductors 1, 1, 1,
respectively derived from the conductor L'. The conductors 1, 1, are all electrically
connected with each other beyond the translating devices, as shown, for instance, at e.
The translating devices d², d², are connected in conductors 2, 2, 2, derived from the
conductor L. The conductors 2, 2, 2, are also united or electrically connected with
each other and with the conductors 1, 1, 1, as shown at e.
Between the point e and the conductor L', there is connected one coil p of a
converter C¹, by means of conductor 3. The second coil of this converter is
connected between the point e and the conductor L³, by means of a conductor 4.
It is apparent that the converter C¹ will serve to maintain a certain constant relative
difference of potential between the conductor L' and the point e, and between
the point e and the conductor L². Any variation in the number of lights d¹ which.
are in circuit, will tend to create a corresponding variation in the difference of
potential at the terminals of the coil p, but the interaction of the coils
and & through
the core of the converter will tend to equalize the difference of potential between the
point e and the conductors L' and L³.
It is evident that by properly proportioning the coils p and s, as shown for instance
in connection with the converters C² and C³ the devices d³ may be run at a different
potential from the lights shown at d¹.
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 1 claim
:-
1. The combination, with a source of alternating, intermittent or pulsatory currents,
of two conductors derived therefrom, a group of translating devices, each having one
terminal connected with one of said conductors and their other terminals connected
with each other, a second group, each having one terminal connected with the other
conductor and their remaining terminals connected with the united terminals of the
first group, and an electric converter having one coil included in the circuit between
the connected terminals and one of said conductors and the other coil included
in circuit between the connected terminals and the other conductor.
2. The combination of two conductors respectively designed to convey alternating,
intermittent or pulsatory currents, a group of translating devices each having
one terminal connected with one of said conductors and the other terminal connected
with each other, a second group of translating devices each having one terminal
connected with the other of said conductors and their remaining terminals connected
with the united terminals of the first group, and an electric converter having one coil
included in parallel circuit with the first group and the other coil in parallel circuit
with the second group.
3. The combination of two conductors, respectively designed to convey alternating,
intermittent or pulsatory currents, a group of translating devices each having one
terminal connected with one of said conductors and the other terminals connected

page_text: with each other, a second group of translating devices, each having one terminal
connected with the other of said conductors and their remaining terminals connected
with the united terminals of the first group, and an electric converter having one coil
included in parallel circuit with the first group and the other coil in parallel circuit
with the second group, the coils of said converter having a relative inductive value
proportionate to the difference of potential required at the terminals of the groups.
4. The combination with two main lines, of an electric converter having a primary
and secondary coil connected in series between said lines, translating devices
connected in multiple arc with one of said coils and other translating devices
connected in multiple arc with the other of said coils.