An Improved Electric Arc Lamp.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 30th Jan., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 25th Oct., 1899-Accepted, 25th Nov., 1899
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
An Improved Electric Arc Lamp.
I, CHARLES ESCHWEI, Electrician, of No. 124, Temple Street, Long Island
City, State of New York, U.S.A., do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
This invention relates to certain improvements in electric arc-lamps of that
class known as long-life arc-lamps in which the upper carbon is fed by gravity
so as to form the arc by the action of a solenoid or magnetic core which is con-
nected by intermediate mechanism with a clutch that engages or releases the
upper carbon under the influence of the varying resistance of the are on the sole-
noid;
and the invention consists of an electric arc-lamp which comprises a sole-
noid, a magnetic core in the same, an upper carbon guided by a cross-piece
supported on the stationary rods of the lamp frame a flange at the lower end of
the core a clutch device connected at one side of its circumference by a suspen-
sion rod with the flange on the core, while its opposite side rests on the top-plate
of an arc-enclosing globe, and a lower carbon supported by an auxiliary frame
suspended from the top of the globe.
The invention consists further of certain details of construction and combi-
nations of parts to be fully described hereinafter.
In the accompanying drawings:
Fig. represents a front elevation of my improved electric arc-lamp for mul-
tiple-are circuits.
Fig. 1 is a vertical section on line 1-1" Fig. 1.
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.
Figs. 3 and 4 are vertical transverse sections drawn on a larger scale and
showing my improved clutch for engaging the upper carbon respectively in the
act of engaging and in the act of releasing the carbon.
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section drawn on line 5-5 Fig. 2, on a larger scale, and
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6-6 Fig. 4 showing the clutch device
in plan view.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings-A represents a solenoid which is attached
to a top-plate B which is provided with means for suspending the
entire lamp in a suitable manner. The top-plate B is provided with
binding posts respectively for the incoming and out-going current
and with downwardly-extending posts C that extend some distance
below the solenoid A, and which carry at their lower ends a second
plate B which corresponds in shape and size to the top plate B. To the plate B₁
are attached two parallel suspending rods 1) which extend in downward direction
and carry at their lower ends a circular top-plate I which is provided with a
central opening through which the upper carbon E is passed in downward direc-
tion. The upper end of the upper carbon E is extended through an opening in
the sliding cross-piece E¹ and rigidly clamped to the same by a thumb-screw e
which firmly holds the upper carbon in position on the cross piece E¹. The
cross-piece E slides freely through the means of openings on the suspension-
rods D the said cross-piece E being separated from said suspension rods by
suitable insulating material interposed in the side walls of the guide openings as
shown clearly in Fig. 5.

page_text: are
their
To the circumferential flange of the top plate D₁ of the lamp proper
attached two downwardly-extending rods 12 which carry at
lower ends an oblong plate D³ which are recessed for receiving a socket d
for the lower carbon E said lower carbon being secured in the socket d by
means of a clamping screw e². The carbon-lolding socket d also serves for sup-
porting a globe & the upper end of which is supported by a ring-shaped plate g
that is secured by screw-bolts g' to the circumferential flange of the top plate Di,
as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. The globe serves to exclude the air from the
arc while the annular space formed by the central opening in the top plate D¹
around the upper carbon E serves as a gas-check for permitting the escape of the
products of combustion. The lower part of the socket d is screw-threaded and
clamped by an interiorly-threaded nut D to, the under side of the recessed
plate D3 so as to hold thereby the socket, lower carbon and globe & firmly in
position. The lower end of the socket d is furthermore held by a screw-cap d'
which when detached permits the insertion of a new carbon and also makes the
socket d air-tight so as to prevent the ingress of cold air into the globe G. This
screw-cap has to be unscrewed to remove the socket from the plate D when
it is desired to remove and clean the globe G. The upper carbon is readily in-
serted by removing the unburned portion of the same and removing the clamp-
ing screw e and inserting a new upper carbon through the cross-piece and through
the top-plate D and clamping the upper end of the carbon to the cross-piece by
the clamping screw e.
The feeding of the upper carbon towards the lower carbon is accomplished
by a clutch which is arranged above the top-plate 1 of the globe G said
clutch resting with one end on said top-plate while its opposite end is pivoted
to a connecting-rod H which passes through the plate 13 and is adjustably
screwed to a circumferential flange h at the lower end of the magnetic core A¹
that extends into the central opening of the solenoid A. By adjustably screwing
the rod H into the flange of the core A' the movement of the said rod may
be limited in abutting at its upper end H2 against the solenoid while by the
air cushion formed in the solenoid the said rod is caused to slowly stop before
striking the solenoid. The clutch is provided with an opening that Hares at
the lower part and is made cylindrical at its upper part, as shown clearly in the
detail Figures 3 and 4 said cylindrical portion exerting a wedge like or binding
action on the carbon when the same is to be lifted by the clutch and serving to
release the carbon when the clutch H is moved in downward and horizontal posi-
tion by the rod H as shown in Fig. 4. In the latter case the upper carbon is
permitted to slide in downward direction while it is. raised when the clutch
engages the upper carbon so as to move it in upward direction. As soon as the
magnetic core A¹ is sucked in by the influence of the current passing through the
solenoid A the clutch is likewise raised by the connection of the circular flange h
with the clutch by the rod H' so that the clutch H grips the upper carbon firmly
and raises it together with the cross-piece E' which latter slides on the suspension-
rods D. As soon as the current in the solenoid is diminished the magnetic core
begins to slide down slowly which motion is transmitted by the connecting
rod H to the clutch H whereby the same is lowered sufficiently to release the
upper carbon so that the same is free to slide down under the influence of gravity
until arrested again by the action of the solenoid A on its core A' due to the
increased current passing through the solenoid.
The increasing and decreasing resistance produced by the larger or smaller
size of the arc between the carbons and the consequent decreasing and increasing
of the current passing through the coil of the solenoid produces the alternating
raising and lowering of the magnetic core together with the connecting rod and
clutch and thereby the alternating clutching and liberating of the upper carbon
so that the perfect regulation of the size of the arc is obtained by the quick action
of the solenoid and the clutch-mechanism operated thereby.

page_text: The current is conducted from the line-wire to the insulated binding-post b
from the same through the solenoid and through the coil of the same by wire b
to the cross-piece E; from the latter to the upper carbon; then through the
lower carbon and its socket along the rods 12 and top-plate D and rods D,
plate B and posts C to the binding post and then to the out-going line-wire.
The lamp frame may be suitably encased above the globe if desired and a
reflector shade arranged around the globe so as to throw the light in downward
direction as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
at the 97h day of Ton 1800
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
1, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
An Improved Electric Arc Lamp.
I, CHARLES ESCHWEI, of 124, Temple Street, Long Island City, State of New
York, United States, 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:-
The invention relates to certain improvements in electric arc-lamps of that
class known as long life are-lamps, in which the upper carbon is fed by gravity
so as to form the arc by the action of a solenoid or magnetic core which is con-
nected by intermediate mechanism with a clutch that engages or releases the
upper carbon under the influence of the varying resistance of the arc on the sole-
noid; and the invention consists of an electric arc-lamp which comprises a sole-
noid, a magnetic core in the same, an upper carbon guided by a cross-piece
supported on the stationary rods of the lamp-frame, a flange at the lower end of
the core, a clutch device connected at one side of its circumference, by a suspen-
sion rod with the flange on the core, while its opposite side rests on the top-plate
of an arc-enclosing globe, and a lower carbon supported by an auxiliary frame
suspended from the top of the globe.
The invention consists further of certain details of construction and combi-
nations of parts to be fully described hereinafter and finally pointed out in the
claims.
Referring to the drawings left with the Provisional Specification in this case:
Fig. 1 represents a front elevation of my improved electric arc-lamp for mul-
tiple arc circuits,
Fig. 1 is a vertical section on line 1ª-1ª, Fig. 1,
Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same,
Figs. 3 and 4 are. vertical transverse sections drawn on a larger scale and
showing my improved clutch for engaging the upper carbon respectively in the
act of engaging and in the act of releasing the carbon,
Fig. 5 is a horizontal section drawn on line 5-5 Fig. 2 on a larger scale, and
Fig. 6 is a horizontal section on line 6-3, Fig. 4 showing the clutch-device
in plan view.
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.
Referring to the drawings:-
A represents a solenoid which is attached to a top-plate B, which is provided
with means for suspending the entire lamp in a suitable manner.
The top-
plate B is provided with binding posts respectively, for the incoming and
outgoing current, and with downwardly-extending posts that extend some
distance below the solenoid A, and which carry at their lower ends a second-

page_text: plate B, which corresponds in shape and size to the top-plate B. To the plate B¹
are attached two parallel suspending rods D which extend in downward direction
and carry at their lower ends a circular top-plate 1 which is provided with a
central opening through which the upper carbon E is passed in dowaward di ec-
tion. The upper end of the upper carbon E is extended through an opening in
the sliding cross-piece El and rigidly clamped to the same by a thumb-screw e
which firmly holds the upper carbon in position on the cross-piece E. The
cross-piece E slides freely through the means of openings, on the suspension-
rods D, D, the said cross-piece being separated from said suspension-rods by
suitable insulating material interposed in the side-walls of the guide-openings, as
shown clearly in Fig. 5. To the circumferential flange of the top-plate D¹ of
the lamp-proper are attached two downwardly-extending rods D2 which carry at
their lower ends an oblong plate 1 which are recessed for receiving a socket d
for the lower carbon E2, said lower carbon being secured in the socket d by
means of a clamping-screw e. The carbon-holding socket d also serves for sup-
porting a globe G, the upper end of which is supported by a ring-shaped plate g
that is secured by screw-bolts gl to the circumferential flange of the top-plate Di,
as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2. The globe serves to exclude the air from the
arc, while the annular space formed by the central opening in the top-plate ])¹
around the upper carbon E serves as a gas-check for permitting the escape of the
products of combustion. The lower part of the socket d is screw-threaded and
clamped by an interiorly-threaded nut D to the under side of the recessed
plate 13 so as to hold thereby the socket, lower carbon and globe G firmly in
position. The lower end of the socket is furthermore held by a screw-cap d
which when detached, permits the insertion of a new carbon and also makes the
socket d air-tight, so as to prevent the ingress of cold air into the globe G. This
screw-cap has to be unscrewed to remove the socket d from the plate 13 when
it is desired to remove and clean the globe G. The upper carbon is readily in-
serted by removing the unburned portion of the same, and removing the clamp-
ing-screw e and inserting a new upper carbon through the cross-piece and through
the top-plate D1 and clamping the upper end of the carbon to the cross-piece by
the clamping-screw e.
The feeding of the upper carbon towards the lower carbon is accomplished
by a clutch H, which is arranged above the top-plate D¹ of the globe G, said
clutch resting with one end on said top-plate, while its opposite end is pivoted
to a connecting-rod H¹ which passes through the plate 11 and is adjustably
screwed to a circumferential flange at the lower end of the magnetic core A¹
that extends into the central opening of the solenoid A. By adjustably screwing
the rod H into the flange h of the core A¹ the movement of the said rod may
be limited in abutting at its upper end H2 against the solenoid, while by the
air-cushion formed in the solenoid, the said rod is caused to slowly stop before
striking the solenoid. The clutch is provided with an opening that flares at
the lower part and is made cylindrical at its upper part, as shown clearly in the
detail Figures 3 and 4, said cylindrical portion exerting a wedge-like or binding
action on the carbon when the same is to be lifted by the clutch, and serving to
release the carbon when the clutch H is moved in downward and horizontal posi-
tion, by the rod H¹, as shown in Fig. 4. In the latter case the upper carbon is
permitted to slide in downward direction, while it is raised when the clutch
engages the upper carbon so as to move it in upward direction. As soon as the
magnetic core A¹ is sucked in by the influence of the current passing through the
solenoid A, the clutch is likewise raised by the connection of the circular flange h
with the clutch by the rod H', so that the clutch H grips the upper carbon firmly
and raises it, together with the cross-piece El, which latter slides on the suspension
rods D. As soon as the current in the solenoid is diminished, the magnetic core
begins to slide down slowly, while motion is transmitted by the connecting-
rod H' to the clutch H whereby the same is lowered sufficiently to release the

page_text: tipper carbon so that the same is free to slide down under the influence of gravity
until arrested again by the action of the solenoid A on its core A', due to the
increased current passing through the solenoid.
The increasing and decreasing resistance produced by the larger or smaller
size of the arc between the carbons and the consequent decreasing and increasing
of the current passing through the coil of the solenoid, produces the alternating
raising and lowering of the magnetic core together with the connecting rod and
clutch, and thereby the alternating clutching and liberating of the upper carbon,
so that the perfect regulation of the size of the are is obtained by the quick action
of the solenoid and the clutch-mechanism operated thereby.
The current is conducted from the line-wire to the insulated binding-post b;
from the same through the solenoid and through the coil of the same by wire b*
to the cross-piece E; from the latter to the upper carbon; then through the
lower carbon and its socket along the rods D2 and top-plate D, and rods 1),
plate B¹ and posts C to the binding-post 61 and then to the outgoing line-wire.
The lamp-frame may be suitably encased above the globe if desired, and a
reflector-shade arranged around the globe so as to throw the light in downward
direction, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1.
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 claim is:
1. In an electric arc-lamp, the combination of a solenoid, a magnetic core in
said solenoid having a circumferential flange at its lower end, a lamp-frame with
parallel suspension rods, a cross-piece sliding on said rods and being insulated
therefrom, an upper carbon attached to said cross-piece, a plate at the lower end
of the suspension rods, a clutch provided with a tapering opening and resting
at one side on said top-plate, and a connecting rod pivoted at one side of the
clutch and connected at its upper end with the circumferential flange of the
solenoid core, substantially as set forth.
2. In an electric arc-lamp, the combination of a solenoid, a magnetic core in
said solenoid, provided with a circumferential flange, a supporting plate below
the solenoid, posts connecting said supporting-plate with the top plate of the
solenoid, suspension rods extending in downward direction from the supporting-
plate, a cross-piece sliding on said suspension rods and insulated therefrom, an
upper carbon attached to said cross-piece and extending in downward direction,
a top-plate having a central opening, a globe extending around the arc and sus-
pended from said top-plate, a support for the lower end of the globe, a lower
carbon supported in the supporting device of the globe, a clutch resting at one
end of the top plate of the globe, and a connecting rod pivoted to the clutch and
attached to the circumferential flange of the magnetic core of the solenoid, sub-
stantially as set forth.
3. In an electric arc-lamp, the combination of a clutch for the upper carbon, a
solenoid having a core provided with a flange and a connecting rod extending
from the clutch and screwed into the said flange so that the upper end of said
rod is adapted to strike against the solenoid, such screw connection between the
rod and said flange permitting the adjustment of the rod in the flange, substan-
tially as set forth.
TONGUE & BIRKBECK,
31, Southampton Buildings, Chancery Lane, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.