Utilizing Electricity.
Year: 1886

page_text: Utilizing Electricity.
I, ROBERT AUSTIN PARRISH of Philadelphia Pennsylvania U.S.A. Lawyer 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:-
My invention has reference to a method and apparatus for the production and
utilization of electricity; and consists in certain improvements all of which are fully
set forth in the following Specification and shewn in the accompanying drawings
which form part thereof.
The object of my invention is to generate electricity for industrial purposes in a
cheap manner obviating the necessity of the steam engine and dynamo electric
machine.
In carrying out my invention Icause a condensation, preferably at a low tempera-
ture, of steam, which in undergoing this physical change gives up its caloric producing
an equivalent quantity of electricity which may be stored or utilised for industrial
purposes in the manner hereinafter specified. By leading off the electric current so
produced and keeping up the action of condensation in a continuous manner the
current may be made continuous also, but without additional expedients, as explained
hereinafter, its intensity and volume would not be easily controllable or so far
mensurable as to suit the varied requirements of the industrial world. This electricity
may, if desired, be caused to flow through what are known as accumulators or storage
batteries and thus be indirectly utilised.
The method or means I prefer, in order to utilize this cheaply generated electric
current consists in causing it to be conducted by means of a delivery and a collecting
brush or contact through a large number of Leyden jars each of which is very small
and capable of a proportionally small discharge. By my improved apparatus these
jars are quickly charged and then discharged in succession causing uniformi currents
in the outgoing or working line and which line current may be made of the desired
strength by suitably coupling up the jars at the instant of their discharge: Each jar
will hold a certain charge of electricity and no more, and when put into communication

page_text: with an electric generator they all charge themselves in a uniform manner so that the
discharges from them are also uniform and of given strength. By means of the
delivery contacts the current may be led to one or more of the jars at one time, and
the collecting contact which receives the current and conveys it to the line may also
receive current from one or more of said jars at one time. It is evident that one or
more brushes or contacts might be used both for the delivery and collection of the
current to or from the jars. The collecting contact or contacts may receive discharges
from a number of jars simultaneously, and such discharge would be caused to take
place very rapidly by a rapid travel of the collector or collectors, and the current may
be made still more uniform or constant by making the discharges so numerous that
they practically overlap each other. It is evident that the currents so collected by two
or more collectors may be united to make a line current with greater volume or with
an increased strength. These various collectors could be mounted on the same shaft
so that by properly adjusting them the pulsations from the different collectors could be
made to merge and thus make a continuous current in the line. While it is preferable
to make the collectors rotate and the jars remain stationary it is also evident that this.
state of things might be reversed, or both might revolve in opposite directions thereby
obtaining the relative surface speeds between the collectors and jars but with less wear
upon the working parts: It will also be readily understood that the current collected
from one set of jars might be used to charge another set of jars (preferably further
along the line) of these last mentioned jars used to supply a current to a new line;
such combinations being within the scope of my invention. Owing to the nature and
method of generating the line current it is desirable to connect the line at the distant
end with the earth making the earth the ultimate reservoir for the electricity from
the jars. Between the jars and the grounded end of the line the translating devices
are placed. A line wire such as above set forth may have branches and the current
thereby be divided to flow over the different circuits in proportion to their resistances.
In the drawings
Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of electrical apparatus, embodying my improvements.
Figure 2 is an elevation shewing the delivering or charging and collecting
contacts working independently of each other.
Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the collectors and the commutator plate.
Figure 4 is an elevation showing how the current collected from one set of jars may
be utilized for charging another set from which the current passes to line.
Figure 5 is a diagram shewing one arrangement of the contact with respect to the
commutator points of contact connecting with the jars and
Figure 6 shews the collector and conmutator with its jars both adapted to rotate.
A is an ordinary steam boiler resting on insulating supports B. C is the condensing
chamber and is formed with an interior hemispherical or dome shaped top, from which
may project numerous points for collecting electricity. F is a steam pipe connecting
with the boiler and is provided on the top with a curved pivotted nozzle similar to a
garden sprinkling hose nozzle, whereby the action of the escaping steam makes the
nozzle rotate and throws the steam against all parts of the dome.
This nozzle is arranged in the lower part of the chamber C. A pipe c may draw off
the condensation from the chamber and feed it to a pump by which it may be
returned to the boiler. D is an ice box or compartment arranged about the dome of
the condenser C and in summer is used to keep the dome cool and facilitate the con-
densation of the steam. G is a conductor for carrying off the current from the dome.
It is evident that this form of generator of the electric current kept chilled either by
natural or artificial cold is only one of a large variety which could be made but the
employment of a cold condenser is the essential feature and that would remain the
same. H is the accumulating and distributing device and supplies the current to line P
(grounded at the distant end) as desired. This line may have one or more translating
devices in it, or it may have a branch circuit i also with one or more translating
devices W in it, and the proper distribution of the current between the line I and
branch from their junction may be insured by resistance changers P. J are small
accumulators or leyden jars and of which there may be a very large number, and said

page_text: jars may be supported in a compact manner and have their discharging conductors
connected to a commutator plate or table terminating in contacts & (see Figures 3
and 5). A shaft M carrying a distributing contact L and a collecting contact N is
constantly rotating at a rapid velocity. These collectors are insulated from each other,
the collector N being secured to the shaft M. and the distributor L being secured to a
contact ring insulated from the shaft but carried on it, and the brush g connecting
with conductor G from the generator rests upon said rings it is evident that a rotation
of the shaft M will now cause the distributor L to charge the jars as rapidly as the
collector N causes their discharge. To facilitate this act of charging the jars, a large
accumulator G' may be used in the conductor G.
As shewn in Figure 1 two sets of these collecting and distributing devices are
arranged in multiple are connection, and as one set would make contact a little in
advance of the other set, this would tend to make the discharge more uniform. In
place of the collectors and distributors rotating, the jars may be rotated, or both may
be rotated in opposite directions as indicated in Figure 6.
The contacts of the jars may be arranged as indicated in Figure 5 upon the com-
mutator table K so that a number of cells could be discharged simultaneously at one
time.
In the construction shown in Figure 2 there are two commutator tables to one set
of jars one for the distributor I and one for the collector N. It is also evident that
two or more combined collecting and distributing devices may be arranged in series
as indicated in Figure 4 if desired in which J is one set of jars and J another set and
the discharges from the J set are used to charge by conductor G¹, the J' set from
which the current is sent to line I. The object of this is to ensure a more uniform
current, and by suitably coupling up the jars make the current strength desired.
P is a safety discharge connecting with the earth and acts to cause a discharge
should the accumulated electricity be of too high tension. This would prevent danger
to the operators working around the apparatus.
The leyden jars may be of the well known form or may be simply flat plates, the
shape being immaterial as I do not confine myself to any particular details.
There are a large number of ways of making the generator but the principle in all
cases would remain the same hence that shewn will suffice to clearly elucidate the
invention.
From the above it will be seen that I do not limit myself to the details of the fore-
going devices for accomplishing the object sought to be secured inasmuch as they are
thus described simply to elucidate the principles involved in carrying out my improved
method of generating and distributing electricity for industrial purposes.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my invention,
and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is :-
First. The herein described method of generating electricity which consists in con-
densing steam upon chilled surfaces and collecting the electricity produced thereby
upon a suitable conductor, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Second. The herein described method of generating electricity which consists in
condensing steam upon chilled surfaces, collecting the electricity produced thereby
upon a suitable conductor then charging numerous leyden jars or accumulators with
the current so collected, and finally causing said jars to be discharged into line
conductor in such rapid succession as to make a practically continuous current,
substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Third. The herein described method of generating electricity which consists in
condensing steam upon chilled surfaces, collecting the electricity produced thereby
upon a suitable conductor then charging two or more sets of leyden jars or accumula-
tors with the current so collected, then causing the said jars to be discharged into line
conductors, and finally causing said currents to unite in a common conductor.
Fourth. The method of obtaining a practically constant electric current which
consists in causing a large number of charged leyden jars to be discharged in rapid
succession into a line circuit,

page_text: Fifth. The herein described method of generating electricity which consists in
condensing steam upon chilled surfaces collecting the electricity produced thereby
upon a suitable conductor then charging a set or sets of leyden jars or accumulators with
the current so produced, then causing the current so accumulated to be passed into
one or more second sets of leyden jars charging them electrically, and finally causing
said last mentioned jars to be discharged in such rapid succession as to make a
practically continuous current.
Sixth. The method of generating an electric current which consists in causing a
travelling jet of steam to be projected upon a chilled surface and condensed whereby
the projected steam does not strike for any material period of time continuously upon
the same portion of the chilled surface, and finally conveying off the electricity so
produced by means of suitable conductors.
Seventh. The combination of the boiler A, pipe F, condenser C, conductor G,
leyden jars J, contact table K having contacts & connecting with the leyden jars
revolving contact L in connection with conductor G, contact N and line wire I in
circuit with said contact N substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Eighth. The combination of the boiler A pipe F, condenser C, refrigerator box D),
conductor G, leyden jars J, contact table K having contacts & connecting with the
leyden jars, revolving contact L in connection with conductors G, contact Ñ, and line
wire I in circuit with said contact N substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Ninth. The combination of a boiler A steam pipe F, loose revolving nozzle f,
condensing dome C, and electrical conductor G, substantially as and for the purpose
specified.
Tenth. The combination of a series of leyden jars a travelling conductor making
contact with said jars in rapid succession to charge them, a source of electrical energy
in connection with said conductor a line circuit and a travelling conductor connecting
with said line and adapted to make contact with said jars in rapid succession to cause
their discharges to pass down into line, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Eleventh. The combination of a series of leyden jars a conductor making contact
with said jars in rapid succession to charge them, a source of electrical energy in con-
nection with said conductor a line circuit, and a conductor connecting with said line
and adapted to make contact with said jars in rapid succession to cause their discharges
to pass down into line, substantially as and for the purpose specified.
Twelfth. The combination of a series of leyden jars a travelling conductor making
contact with said jars in rapid succession to charge them, a source of electrical energy,
in connection with said conductor a line circuit, a travelling conductor connecting
with said line and adapted to make contact with said jars in rapid succession to cause
their discharges to pass down into line, a generator of electricity connecting with the
travelling charging contact conductor, and a safety discharge conductor arranged close
to but insulated from the working or line conductor or current conveying portion of
the electrical apparatus.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.