Improvements in or appertaining to Automatic Safety Appliances or Cut-outs for use in Systems of Electric Distribution.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 18th Mar., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 17th Jan., 1891-Accepted, 21st Feb., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Automatic Safety Appliances
or Cut-outs for use in Systems of Electric Distribution.
A communication from abroad by CHARLES GRIFFITH YOUNG, of the Mount
Morris Electric Light Company, of the City, County, and State of New
York, United States of America, Electrician and Electrical 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
to be as follows
:-
The present invention relates to the means and method of interrupting both the
outcoming and the incoming main or external lines with respect to their electrical
connection to an electrical generator or to the field magnet thereof, automatically,
when either one of the main lines has become broken or grounded or carries an
excess of current above the normal amount. It is intended to apply the invention
to those circuits which carry or may carry currents of such quantity and intensity
as to be dangerous to human life and to buildings.
The prime object of the invention is to cause automatically the whole main line
to exist free from danger on the instant that the same becomes practically
useless for electric lighting or power or heating, or for other purposes in which are
employed large currents. For instance, if the main line becomes ruptured at any
given point or points in a series system of electric lighting, power or heating, the
lights are extinguished, the motors are stopped and the heat ceases.
The system
is doing no practical good. If, however, after the rupture of the wire, a person
should touch one of the main lines, such as the incoming main line, while the other
main line becomes accidentally connected to ground, which would be the case if it
came in electrical contact with telephone or telegraph wires, and it being supposed
that the person is in electrical connection with the ground, then would he receive
an electric shock which would be dangerous in proportion to the current and its
electromotive force.
The invention consists broadly of the means and method of automatically
electrically separating the poles of the generator from the main lines, whereby they
become "dead," and whereby, therefore, it is impossible for an accident of the
above kind to occur, or any similar accident such as setting fire to combustible
objects.
The invention may be defined, as to the means, as follows:-
It consists of the combination of a source of electricity such as a dynamo or
dynamos; a main line in circuit therewith, electric contact terminals normally in
closed circuit with and between the poles of said generator and said main line for
the purpose of maintaining proper electrical connection between the dynamo and
main line during the proper working of the system, and automatic means, such as
an electro magnet, for electrically separating said terminals upon rupture of the
main line, the terminals being of iron in part or in whole, and being normally held
closed by the power of the magnet whereby they spring open or fall apart when
the main line becomes ruptured.
The method may be described as follows:-
The method of operating a system of electrical distribution employing a dynamo
in circuit with a main line, consisting in automatically electrically breaking the
field circuit, or separating the poles of the dynamo from the main line when the
latter becomes ruptured or grounded.

page_text: Another object of the invention may be described as follows:-
Whether the main line breaks, whether the current becomes injuriously abnormal
or whether the main line becomes grounded, the invention provides that the whole
main line, outside of the central station where the generator is located shall be out
of electrical contact with the generator or shall be put into such a condition that it
will be impossible for a current to pass from the dynamo or generator to any part
of the main line outside of said central station. This part of the invention may be
defined as follows:-
It consists of the combination of a dynamo, a main line in circuit therewith, and
including an electro magnet or magnets at or near said dynamo and including a
circuit breaking armature belonging to and attracted by said magnet and means,
such as a second armature provided with a circuit closer for short circuiting said
magnet under abnormally excessive current in the main line, whereby the first
armature is no longer attracted, and automatically opens said main line. A
modification of this invention is to place the circuit breaking armature in the field
circuit, so that the latter becomes open under similar conditions, whereby the main
line will be put in such a condition that it will be impossible for a current to pass
from the dynamo.
A further modification of the invention is where one electro magnet controls a
cut-out in each main line, so that, when the latter is broken and the current
therefore ceases, or when the latter is short circuited and the magnet is therefore
weakened, the cut-outs will perform their functions by cutting out both poles of the
dynamo. Or one or both of these cut-outs as before may be located in circuit with
the field magnet of the dynamo.
Dated this 17th day of March 1890
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or appertaining to Automatic Safety Appliances or
Cut-outs for use in Systems of Electric Distribution.
A communication from abroad by CHARLES GRIFFITH YOUNG, of the Mount
Morris Electric Light Company, of the City, County, and State of New York,
United States of America, Electrician and Electrical 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:—
This invention relates to a system of electrical distribution for electric lighting
and power, provided with means for interrupting both the out-going and the
in-coming main or external lines with respect to their electrical connection to the
electrical generator or to the field magnet thereof of the system automatically under
predetermined conditions.
The object of the invention is to cause the whole main line to exist free from
danger on the instant that the same becomes practically useless for electric lighting
or power. For instance if the main line becomes ruptured at any point or points in
a series system of electric lighting, or electric power, the lights are extinguished
and the motors stopped. Or if for any reason the current becomes abnormally
strong to an unusual extent, the lamps and motors may be injured. Or if the main
line comes in contact with a ground connection, as for instance through touching a
telephone wire, injury is likely to happen sooner or later to persons or animals
coming in contact with the main line under certain conditions. Whether the main
line breaks, whether the current becomes injuriously abnormal, or whether the main
line becomes grounded, this invention provides that the whole main line outside of

page_text: the central station where the generator is located, shall be out of electrical contact
with the generátor, or shall be put into such a condition that it will be impossible
for a current to pass from the generator to any part of the main line outside of said
central station.
The invention is illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which
Figure 1 is a view partly in diagram of a complete system in so far as this inven-
tion is concerned.
Figure 2 is a similar view of a modification.
Figures 3 and 4 are modifications relating to grounding.
The system consists of the combination of an electric generator a, provided with
terminals and, which are carried by a pivoted armature e, and which are in
contact normally and respectively with fixed terminals e and el a main line having
an outgoing line and an incoming line f¹, the former being connected to the
terminal e and including a magnet coil wound upon the core and the latter !
being connected to the terminal e'. It is evident that may be the outgoing and
the incoming line, but for convenience they will be called as first stated. If the
main line should become broken for instance at the point i, indicated by a dotted
line, the pivoted lever or armature e which is represented as attracted to and in
contact with the core h, will fall downward from said core so that both terminals b,
and b', will be electrically interrupted respectively from the line f and f', practically
instantaneously, so that whether a person or other animal comes subsequently in
contact with it directly or through a second or third wire, (which may have come
in contact with said main line before or after the rupture at the point ) it will be
impossible for any injury to be done by the generator a, directly or indirectly. If
only the wire and not the wire for vice versa, were disconnected from the
generator, the main line would by no means be in a safe condition nor could it be
called properly a "dead wire." Suppose for instance the terminal b, should be
accidentally connected to ground by closing the switch and that the line" should
break at, then it is evident that if the line f' should come in contact with a man m,
which is also in contact with wet ground n, he will receive a current which will
injure or kill him if of sufficient intensity and quantity. Accidents of this kind
have happened where a cut-out has been provided for only one branch of the main
line. In this case, when a system is used such as described in Figure 1 it becomes
impossible for such an accident to occur, because both of the lines and f', will
become disconnected from the electrical generator a.
The core h, may be provided also with two fine wire coils and g, which are in
circuit respectively with one terminal and condenser and one terminal e¹ and
condenser o both coils being connected to ground through their respective
condensers. If the main line should become grounded through touching a telephone
wire, or by closing the switch, then will the pivoted armature c' at the end of the
core h, close the circuit", whose terminals are the terminals of the coil g. The
coil g, being thereby short circuited, the core 4, will be so much weakened that the
armature will drop and break the lines and f, at the terminals e and e¹. This
operation is apparent from the fact that the terminal p, connected to the circuit
is from the the terminal connected to the circuit ("
in circuit with the circuit". A retractile spring q is of such strength as to main-
tain the terminal p, out of contact with the armature c', when no current is passing
through one or both of the coils g' and g". The spring 7 is of such strength that
when an abnormal current of greater strength than the normal current passes
through one or both of the coils or g"-the armature c', will be attracted in such
a manner as to short circuit the coil g. When the coil g, is short circuited, the
armature e drops and the generator becomes electrically disconnected from the main
line. The stationary spring u retains the contact u in electric contact with the
post or terminal 7.
The pivoted armature c', has an arm r, provided with a hooks, which becomes
useful for holding up the armature c, against the core h, until the latter becomes
magnetized sufficiently to hold up said armature by itself.

page_text: The above description relates particularly to Figure 1, and only in part to
Figure 2. In the latter, the terminals band, are electrically connected to the
terminals and e, of the field magnet, of the generator a, instead of to the
terminals of the brushes 6 and 6, as in Figure 1. When the terminals e and b,
and and, are out of contact, the circuit of the field magnet t, is broken so that
the generator becomes inoperative and therefore no injury can be done to any
person or animal coming in contact with the main line after a rupture has been
made at the point i, or after the current in the main line has become so abnormally
strong as to close the short circuit f".
This invention is particularly useful for overhead conductor systems where death
and fire are likely to occur when the electrical generator has an electric connection
with the main line, although the same may be broken or grounded or carrying an
excessive current. The purpose of this invention is also accomplished as set forth
above by automatically rendering the generator inoperative by electrically opening
or breaking the terminals of the field magnet at ell and while the main line is
still in circuit with the generator.
The second part of this invention relates to a system of electrical distribution for
electric lighting and power, provided with means for interrupting both the outgoing
and the incoming main or external lines with respect to their electrical connection
to the electrical generator or dynamo or for interrupting the field magnet circuit of
the dynamo automatically upon grounding of the main line. The invention is
carried out in such a manner as to be applicable to alternating, pulsating or inter-
mittent currents.
The object of the invention is to cause the whole main line to exist free from
danger or to become "dead" on the instant that the same becomes practically
useless by grounding or forming an electric connection with the earth. This inven
tion provides that the whole main line beyond the poles of the dynamo or outside of
the central station where the dynamo is located, shall be out of electrical contact
with the dynamo or shall be put into such a condition that it will be impossible for
a current to pass from the dynamo to any part of the main line outside of said
central station, when the main line becomes grounded, as it may by coming in
contact with a telegraph or telephone wire.
The invention is described by reference to the accompanying drawings.
Figure 3, shows the system partly in diagram and so drawn as to illustrate the
condition of the same where one wire of the main line is about to come in contact
with a telegraph or telephone wire and where a person is about to touch one of the
other wires, so that the system is shown in its normal condition of operation just
before the main lines have sagged.
Figure 4 is a view of the system in its normal condition, while involving some
modifications such as the substitution of a magnet and its armature for a fuse,
and a circuit breaker in circuit with a field magnet instead of circuit breakers
in circuit with the poles of the dynamo. An electrical bell is also shown for
giving an audible signal under certain conditions.
The complete system embodying this invention consists in the combination
of a dynamo a, having brushes b, connected respectively with the dynamo terminals
or poles e, carried upon a pivoted lever d, which is held in an opposing position
by a fuse e, one end of which is attached to the lever d, which tends to fall
downward by its own weight and by force of the retractile spring, and the other
end of which is attached to the stationary block g, the two poles c, being insulated
from each other, and both from the fuse e; outgoing and incoming main lines h,
having terminal brushes i, respectively in contact with the poles c electrical
conductors j, cach including in circuit, choking magnets m, and both being
connected in circuit with the fuse e, at the block, the other end of the fuse being
connected to ground by the conductor ; and conductors o, representing the usual
or frequently occurring leakage from the dynamo poles to the ground; or repre-
senting accidental but high resistance connections to the ground. Both figures
represent a multiple system of distribution for electric lighting or power, the

page_text: converters p, being in multiple arc or parallel with the generator a, and translating
devices 9 such as lamps or motors.
It may be stated here that the nature of this invention is such as to be
operative upon such a-system, as well as upon a series distribution system.
In Figure 4 between the block g, and the ground, and instead of the fuse e, are
placed a magnet », an armature r, which is wound and in series with said magnet
and which is carried upon the lever d, which is partly counterbalanced by the
weight. An electric bells, is located in circuit between the block and the
choking magnets j. The conductor t, is a part of the circuit of the field magnet a'.
In circuit with the conductor t, are the fixed terminal and the terminal which
is carried by the lever d, in such a manner that when the armature is repelled
by the magnet r, the said two terminals and will separate, and the field circuit
become interrupted, so that it is impossible for the dynamo a, to generate any
current on the main lines ; so that this part of the operation of the system will
be similar to that in Figure 3, where if the fuse e, melts, the contacts or terminals c
and i, separate.
The operation of the system is as follows;-
The conductors u, represent how electrical connections may be represented as
occurring between the main lines and the ground by closing the circuit closers u'.
However, let us suppose that a building is on fire, or a blizzard, or that some
similar catastrophe occurs, whereby a portion of the main lines drop from their
poles and sag so that one of them is about to come in contact with the telephone
or telegraph wire, which is connected to ground. Just as soon as it touches said
wire or within a small fraction of a second thereafter, a circuit will be closed
through the fuse e, and the latter will break by melting, and the poles, of the
generator will become electrically separated from the terminals i, of the main lines.
Consequently, if subsequently a person w, should run against the wire, say the
other one from that which touched the wire r, or the same one h, while standing
on the ground or other object which has connection with the ground and he raises
his hand to remove the main line h, and touches the same, he will not receive
a shock, thereby showing that the main lines become harmless after they have
become practically useless only by providing means for electrically separating
them from the dynamo or by placing the latter under such a condition that it is
absolutely impossible for a current to pass from the dynamo to either one or both
of the main lines. If only the one line, should come in contact with the wire,
and it only should be cut out, then subsequently the person tc, would get a shock
which in most systems working under high potential, would kill him, on account of
there occurring so often a leakage or considerable electrical connection between
the poles of the dynamo and the ground. Or imagine instead of the person w, a
dwelling or other combustible object, which might be set on fire instead of a person
being killed. If in Figure 4 a main line should become grounded, as by closing
the circuit closer, then would a current pass through one of the choking magnets,
ring the bells, and cause repulsion of the armature, from the magnet r, whereby
the field magnet a¹ would become broken as to its circuit by the separating of the
terminals and so that it would be impossible for a current to be generated
over either one of the main lines, until the conductor t, was again made continuous.
The signal will ring for an instant before said terminals separate, thereby
informing the engineer that an accident had occurred by the grounding of the
main line.
In Figure 4, when the lever d, is repelled by the magnet r, it is held up by the
hook A attached thereto, catching upon the spring hook B, located in a stationary
manner just above the hook A.
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. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,

page_text: a main line in circuit therewith, electric contact terminals normally in closed
circuit with and between the poles of said generator and said main line, and
automatic means for electrically separating said terminals upon rupture of the
main line.
2. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,
a main line in circuit therewith, a magnet core provided with three coils, one of
which is in circuit with said main line, the second in circuit with the ground and one
pole of the generator; means, such as for instance, a circuit closer, for making
electrical connection between said main line and the ground, a circuit breaking
armature, maintaining the main line in circuit with said generator while attracted by
said magnet, the second armature pivoted and balanced for the purpose set forthi,
and included in circuit for short circuiting the said first coil, when said second
armature is attracted to said core.
3. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,
a main line in circuit therewith, and including an electro magnet at or near said
generator, and a circuit breaking armature belonging to and attracted by said
magnet, and means such as a second armature provided with a circuit closer for
short circuiting said magnet under an abnormally excessive current in the main
line, whereby the first armature is no longer attracted and automatically opens said
main line.
4. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of a main line, an
electric generator and translating devices in circuit therewith, a circuit breaking
armature also in circuit therewith at or near said generator, attracted to conducting
control by an electro magnet normally energized by the electric charge upon
the main line, a circuit closing armature in a normally open short circuiting line
for short circuiting said magnet, and so balanced as to maintain the short circuiting
line open during a normal current in said main line and to close said short circuiting
line when an abnormal and excessive current traverses said main line, whereby the
said first armature is no longer attracted by said magnet and opens said main line.
5. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,
a main line in circuit therewith; armature-circuit-breakers between the poles of
said generator and said main line, and electro magnet or magnets within inductive
relation to said armature-circuit-breakers, for operating said circuit-breakers under
abnormal conditions of the current in the main line.
6. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electrical generator,
a main line in circuit therewith, a circuit breaking armature in circuit with the
field magnet of the generator, and automatic means for opening said circuit breaker
upon rupture of the main line.
7. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,
a main line in circuit therewith, a circuit breaking armature in circuit with the
field magnet of the generator, a magnet in circuit with said main line retaining said
armature in such a manner that the main line is closed, and means such as a second
armature for said magnet for short circuiting said magnet under abnormal conditions
of the current in the main line, whereby the circuit breaker destroys the electrical
connection between the generator and the main line, when the said magnet becomes
short circuited.
8. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electrical generator,
terminals thereof, a main line, terminals thereof in contact with the first named
terminals, all the terminals being located at or near said generator, an electro
magnet included in the said main line, an armature therefor carrying one pair of
said terminals and normally held attracted to said magnet, two other magnets in
circuit respectively with the ground and opposite terminals of said generator, a
second armature for said last named magnets provided with means such as an
automatic circuit closer for short circuiting said first magnet when the other magnets
become energized.
9. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electrical generator,
main line in circuit therewith and having outgoing and incoming lines, an electro

page_text: magnet in circuit with said main line, a circuit breaking armature within inductive
relation to said magnet, and terminal contacts at or near and connected electrically
to the respective terminals of said generator or of its field magnet, and to the
terminals of said circuit breaking armature, for the purpose as herein before described
of electrically destroying the electric generation or charge upon each and both of
the outgoing and incoming lines.
10. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,
a main line in circuit therewith, armature-circuit-breakers between the poles of
said generator and said main line, and an electro magnet or magnets within
inductive relation to said armature-circuit-breakers, for operating said circuit
breakers under abnormal conditions of the current in the main line in which said
magnet or magnets are included.
11. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator,
a main line in circuit therewith, electric contact terminal normally in closed circuit
with and between the poles of said generator and said main line, and automatic
means, such for example as an electro-magnet or magnets in the main line, for
electrically separating said terminal upon rupture of the main line.
12. The method of operating a system of electrical distribution embodying an
electric generator in circuit with a main line, consisting in automatically electrically
separating the poles of the generator from the main line when the latter becomes
ruptured.
13. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an electric generator
a main line in circuit therewith, and a cut-out, in circuit with said generator,
and controlled by a device in continuous circuit with said main line and the
ground.
14. The combination of an electric generator, a main line in circuit therewith,
translating devices in said main line in multiple arc with each other, a cut-out in
circuit in or near the generator controlled by a device in continuous circuit between
the ground and said main line at a given point to hold the circuit closed while
the main line is insulated from the ground at all other points, and to open the
circuit when the main line becomes grounded at a second point.
15. In the operation of electric safety cut-outs for dynamos by grounding of the
main line of a system of electrical distribution, the method of separating the poles
of the dynamo from the main line, which consists in automatically opening the said
cut-outs.
16. In the operation of electric safety cut-outs for dynamos by grounding of the
main line of a system of electrical distribution, the method of separating a pole of
the dynamo from the main line, which consists in automatically opening one of the
said cut-outs.
17. In the operation of an electric cut-out for dynamos, by grounding the main
line of a system of electrical distribution, the method of destroying the electric
charge upon the main line, which consists in grounding the main line at two
independent points thereof, and opening the said cut-out by the action of the current
generated in the ground circuit.
18. The method of operating an electric cut-out for dynamos consisting in
grounding the main line at independent points thereof, and opening the said cut-out
and destroying the electric charge in the main line by the action of the current
formed in the ground circuit.
19. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of a dynamo, a main
line, a cut-out in circuit with its field magnet, and means for automatically inter-
rupting said field magnet circuit upon rupture or grounding of the main line or
branch thereof.
D
WM. P. THOMPSON & Co.,
Agents for the Applicant.