IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DIVIDING AND DISTRIBUTING, OR FOR COLLECTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
Year: 1878

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Edward John Cowling Welch, of Manchester, in the
County of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, for the Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS
IN APPARATUS FOR DIVIDING AND DISTRIBUTING, OR FOR COLLECTING
ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER PURPOSES."
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Edward John Cowling Welch at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 25th October 1878.
"
EDWARD JOHN COWLING WELCH, of Manchester, in the County of Lancaster,
Civil Engineer. IMPROVEMENTS IN APPARATUS FOR DIVIDING AND DISTRI-
BUTING, OR FOR COLLECTING ELECTRIC CURRENTS FOR LIGHTING AND OTHER
PURPOSES."
My Invention consists in the employment of two series of contact pieces, one
fixed and the other movable, the pieces in each series being either insulated from
each other or not, as the case may require, and being so spaced with regard to each
other as that when one series is in motion the contact pieces therein may come into
electrical contact with the pieces in the other series, either singly and successively,
or in any order of combination that may be required. Thus any number of contacts
may be made by a single revolution or reciprocation of one of the series, according
as the said contact pieces are arranged in circles or in straight or curved lines.
The said contact pieces may be arranged at equal distances apart, or at such
varying or proportional distances as circumstances may require. More than two
series of contact pieces may be arranged to act in concert. When only two series
are used, and the contacts are required to be made consecutively and in regular
order, I arrange the contact pieces in each series at equal distances apart, one
series having more contact pieces than the other series. I prefer to employ the
circular arrangement, that is to say, I cause the moving contact pieces to revolve,
but for some purposes, or if preferred, for any reason, the said contact pieces may be
[Price 6d1

page_text: arranged to reciprocate in a straight or curved path, or be otherwise moved, as
herein-after indicated.
In order that my Invention may be more fully understood I have appended here-
unto a Sheet of Drawings, marked with, letters of reference.
Referring to the said Drawings, Fig. 1 represents a side or end view, and Fig. 2
_a_vertical-section-of-so-much-of-an-apparatus-constructed in accordance with my
Invention as is necessary to the illustration thereof.
In the said Figs. a, a, are the contact pieces which constitute the fixed series, and
b, b, are the contact pieces of the moving series. It will be seen that there are eight
moving pieces and only seven fixed pieces. The number of such pieces may be less
than in the example, or be increased to any required extent, and if preferred, the
pieces a may be more in number than the pieces b. Each of the pieces b consists
of a packet of thin brass or metal plates soldered or attached to a bar c, which is
fitted to slide in a slot d, which is formed in a wheel or frame E. The outer end-of
The
each piece b projects through a slot formed in the periphery of the wheel E.
bar c is retained in the slot by means of a cap f, which is secured to one end of the
said bar, as indicated in Fig. 3, which represents a cross section on the line * in
Fig. 2. The wheel E is keyed upon a shaft g, which is fitted to revolve in bearings
formed in a cylinder h, and in the cover h¹ of the said cylinder. The said cover is
secured to the cylinder by means of bolts or screws. In Fig. 1 the apparatus is
represented without the cover. The said cylinder acts as a framework for the
apparatus and encloses the wheel E, and may be fitted or formed with feet, or
arranged for attachment to any suitable support, or to the bed or frame of a dynamo-
electric machine, according to circumstances.
In some cases the shaft g may be an 'extension of the shaft of a dynamo-electric
machine, or be coupled or connected therewith. Each of the pieces a, made of any
suitable metal, is enclosed within a block i of "ebonite" or other suitable insulating
material, which is fixed in a cavity or recess formed in the periphery of the
cylinder h. One end of each piece a is fitted tightly into a slot in a metal holder />,
which is also insulated by the block and projects from the periphery of the
cylinder. In the example the inner end of each holder is tapered, as indicated by
the dotted lines, and is inserted in a corresponding recess in the block i, which is
formed in two parts, in order that the holder may be got into its place, and the said
block is secured by pins 7, but these arrangements may be greatly varied.
inner ends of two screws m bear against the piece a, and furnish means for so
adjusting the piece as that its inner end may project slightly beyond the inner end
of the block i.
The
The holders are formed and provided with screws and nuts for the attachment
of the connecting wires which constitute the circuits into which the electric current
is to be distributed. The wheel E, and as a consequence the pieces b, are in electrical
connection with one pole of a galvanic battery, or of a dynamo-electric machine, or
of other suitable generator of the electric current and the currents conveyed by the
circuit wires, leading away from the holders k, after being utilised, are conveyed by
return wires to the other pole.
When the apparatus is in use the wheel E is caused to revolve, and the centrifugal
force causes the pieces b to slide outwards, so that their inner ends bear against the
inner surface of the cylinder, which is by preference bored.
It will be seen that during one complete revolution of the wheel each of the
pieces b makes contact with each one of the pieces a eight times, and thereby makes
eight transmissions of the electric currents, and that between any two contacts with
one piece a, contact is made successively with all the other six pieces.
An important result obtained is that an effect is obtained corresponding to that
resulting from the employment of a single contact piece b revolving at eight times
the speed, and similarly supposing the series a to have 49 pieces, and the series b
50 pieces, the effect would correspond to a single contact piece revolving at fifty
times the speed, and the current would be distributed through fifty circuits. In the
example cach circuit may be connected with an electric lamp, so that seven lights

page_text: may be maintained, or a greater number, according to the number of contact pieces,
or the electric currents may be otherwise utilised.
The arrangement may be greatly varied; as for example, the outer series may
rotate, and the inner series be fixed, or the moving series may rotate by the side of
the circles of fixed pieces, or between two circles of fixed pieces.
Sometimes it may be convenient to use a number of sets or series of contact
pieces, the wheels carrying the moving sets being either keyed upon one shaft, or
being connected together or caused to revolve in harmony, so as to have a concerted
action, whereby the number of circuits maintained and the number of transmis-
sions of the electric current during one revolution of the shaft might be greatly
increased.
In designing the apparatus the inner diameter of the cylinder must bear such a
proportion to the number of contact pieces and to the width thereof, or to the length
of contact, as to allow for the necessary clearance, that is to say, to avoid two
picces a being in contact at the saine time without such should be required.
b
The form and arrangement of the pieces may be greatly varied, as for example,
they may be arranged to be hinged instead of sliding, or be arranged to be adjust-
able outwardly, as necessitated by wear: -
If preferred the pieces bmay be prevented by stops from coming into contact with
the inner surface of the cylinder, or of the insulating blocks, in which case the ends
of the pieces a might project inwardly to a greater extent than indicated in the
Drawings. I may arrange for the pieces b, or the pieces corresponding thereto, to
be acted upon by springs, which tend to withdraw the said pieces inwards when the
wheel is revolving at less than its minimum working speed, or to press the said
pieces outwards, as may be required.
In some cases I employ electrical condensers of any suitable form in combination
with the indicated apparatus. An effect similar to that resulting from the illustrated
arrangement may be obtained without causing the movable contact pieces, say for
example, the pieces b, to revolve around a common axis, by employing revolving
cams or wipers to move each movable contact piece into contact with a fixed contact
piece, or to break the contact. In such a case the number of contact pieces in each
set or series would be the same, but the number of cams or wipers would be less or
more than the number of contact pieces in each series.
Springs may be employed either to make or break the contact, at times governed
by the said cains or wipers.
By way of example, in view of the eight revolving pieces b, seven pieces, arranged
to slide radially into contact with the pieces a, might be employed, the seven pieces
being acted upon by a series of six or eight cams or wipers, or cam surfaces fixed or
formed on the revolving shaft g. Fixed cams may also be employed to move the
revolving or reciprocating contact pieces into position to make contact at the required
times.
The apparatus may also be used to collect currents of electricity from a number
of circuits or generators, and to deliver the electricity in one current.
Having now fully set forth and indicated the nature of my said Invention, and
means for carrying the same into practical effect, I would have it to be understood
that I claim with reference to the transmission of electrical currents, -
First. The apparatus constructed and acting substantially as and for the purpose
set forth and indicated herein-before, and in and by the accompanying Drawings.
Secondly. Arranging a number of movable contact pieces around a central axis of
revolution, and arranging a greater or lesser number of fixed contact pieces around
the same axis, so that a number of electrical contacts are made with each fixed
piece at each revolution of the movable pieces, substantially as set forth and
indicated.
Thirdly. The employment of two sets of series of contact pieces, one set being
fixed and the other set movable, in such a manner as that during one revolution or
completed movement of the movable set, a number of contacts are made with each
one of the pieces in the fixed set, substantially as set forth and indicated.

page_text: .
And, lastly. The employment of fixed and movable sets of contact making pieces
so arranged and acted upon as that two or more electrical contacts with each fixed
piece are made in the time required for one revolution of the actuating shaft, sub-
stantially as set forth and indicated.
In witness whereof, I, the said Edward John Cowling Welch, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, this Twenty-fourth day of October, in the year of
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight.