IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF LIGHT BY ELECTRICITY, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR a.
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to William Phillips Thompson of the Agency for Foreign
Patent Solicitors, 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of Lancaster, Civil
Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF LIGHT
BY ELECTRICITY, AND IN APPARATUS THEREFOR a. communication from
Robert J. Sheehy, a person resident in the city, county and state of New
York, United States of America
"
.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Phillips Thompson
at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 9th June 1883.
"
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors
6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, Civil Engineer, "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF LIGHT BY ELECTRICITY, AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR a communication from Robert J. Sheehy, a person resident in the
city, county, and state of New York United States of America
"
This invention relates to that class of electric lights in which the so-called
electric arc is maintained between two carbon electrodes. It particularly relates
to certain appliances commonly denominated regulators, by which said electrodes
are maintained in that relation to each other which is essential to the production
of a uniform and maximum degree of illumination, and to certain devices associated
with each regulating mechanism in order that a number of lights may be
economically and practically operated at once upon a single circuit.
น
The particular objects and features of this invention may be stated as follows
First: Improvements in the so-called clutch or clamping device, the function of
which is to unite the movable electrode with that portion of the apparatus which
is to govern its movements toward and from the fixed electrode. This clutch or
clamping device consists of two clamping-wheels situated upon opposite sides
respectively of a smooth metallic vertical rod to which the movable electrode is
connected. The said clamping-wheels are connected with the arinature of a shunt-
circuit electro-magnet by means of links respectively pivoted upon said clamping-
wheels at points other than the centres thereof: Said clamping-wheels are also
Го .
A

page_text: connected by means of other eccentric bearings to independent levers also actuated
by the electro-magnetism excited by the shunted current, but only when exceeding
a definite strength. The action of the complete mechanism is: First, to revolve
the clamping-wheels through the medium of said links upon the eccentric bearings
last mentioned, and cause them to clamp the electrode-holder so that the holder
will be elevated and the electric arc established Secondly, when the resistance of
said arc is abnormally increased, the excess of electro-magnetism developed by the
shunted current operates said. system of levers to move said eccentric bearings,
and accordingly said clamping-wheels, away from the holder and thus liberate
said holder to the action of gravity. A practically continuous feed is the result
of these combined movements.
:
Secondly: The invention aims to improve the construction of the electro-
magnets, which by their varying attraction actuate said clutch or clamping device.
This improvement consists in placing two axial electro-magnets in line with each
other, supporting them by a common central frame-work provided with an
opening, which forms with the axial perforations of said magnet a continuous
chamber into the opposite open ends of which the cylindrical armatures are
respectively introduced. These armatures are in magnetic contact with each other
through mechanism which permits of their free movement within the said chamber,
so that they move simultaneously under the influence of the electro-magnetism
developed by the coil and their own mutual attraction.
Thirdly: The invention aims to improve the so-called cut-out, the function of
which is to automatically withdraw or shunt the lamp from the electric circuit
when by reason of its abnormal resistance it interferes with the successful working
of other lamps upon the same circuit. In brief this improvement consists in
employing the shunt-circuit magnetism to wind a spring, and when said magnetism
increases beyond a certain limit to liberate said spring through an escapement
mechanism. Mechanism is thus set in operation by the power of said spring,
which closes a shunt-circuit about the lamp and practically withdraws it from the
working circuit.
Fourthly: The invention aims to provide in conjunction with said cut-out just
described, a device operated mechanically by the pressure of the electrodes one upon
the other, to re-introduce said lamp into said circuit when the conditions, necessary
for its successful operations are restored.
Fifthly: A device is provided for automatically reporting the failure of any
lamp in circuit in such manner as to point out the particular lamp thus in trouble,
in order that it may be at once visited and the normal conditions of operation
restored. To effect this end the use is again made of electro-magnetism, increasing
correlatively with the resistance of the arc, to actuate mechanism (when said
resistance exceeds a predetermined amount) whereby a special resistance is auto-
matically and successively introduced into and withdrawn from the inain line a
proper number of times to transmit the distinguishing number or signal assigned to
the light that is out of order. This causes upon the main line a series of pulsations
which are responded to by an appropriate reporting mechanism.
The above features of this invention have been enumerated separately, but they
are in reality closely related to each other, thus, a single compound magnet, such as
described, serves to actuate the clamping device, the cut-out mechanism; and the
escapement of the reporting mechanisin.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said William Phillips Thompson in the Great Seal Patent Office on
the 7th December 1883.
WILLIAM PHILLIPS THOMPSON, of the Agency for Foreign Patent Solicitors,
6 Lord Street, Liverpool, in the county of Lancaster, Civil Engineer. " IMPROVE-
MENTS IN THE PRODUCTION OF LIGHT BY ELECTRICITY, AND IN APPARATUS
THEREFOR." A communication from Robert. J. Sheehy, a person resident in the
city, county, and State of New York, United States of America.
This invention relates to that class of electric lights in which the so-called
electric arc is maintained between two carbon electrodes. It particularly relates to
certain appliances commonly denominated regulators, by which said electrodes are
maintained in that relation to each other which is essential to the production of a
uniform and maximum degree of illumination; and also to certain devices
associated with such regulating mechanisms in order that a number of the lamps
may be economically and practically operated at once upon a single circuit.
The particular objects or features of this invention may be stated as
follows:-
First: Improvements in the so-called clutch or clamping device, the function of
which is to unite the movable electrode with that portion of the apparatus which
is to govern the movements of said movable electrode toward and from the fixed
electrode.
:
Second To improve the construction of the electro-magnet which by its varying
attraction actuates said clutch or clamping device.
:
Third To improve the so-called cut-out, the function of which is to auto-
matically withdraw or shunt the lamp from the electric circuit, when by reason of
its abnormal resistance or other defects it interferes with the successful working of
other lamps upon the same circuit.
:
Fourth To provide a device for automatically re-introducing the said lamp
into the said circuit, when the conditions necessary for its successful operation are
restored.
Fifth To provide a device or devices for automatically reporting the failure of
any lamp in circuit in such manner as to point out the particular lamp thus in
trouble, in order that it may be at once visited and the normal conditions of
operation restored. To effect this end the use is made of electro-magnetism
increasing correlatively with the resistance of the arc to actuate mechanism (when
said resistance exceeds a predetermined amount) whereby a special resistance is
automatically and successively introduced into and withdrawn from the main-line
a proper number of times to transmit the distinguishing number or signal assigned
to the light that is out of order. This causes upon the main line a series of
pulsations which are responded to by an appropriate reporting mechanism of which
a convenient example will be hereinafter described.
These improvements are set forth in the accompanying drawings, in which
Fig. 1 is an elevation of the complete lamp. Figs. 2 and 3 are independent views
of the levers of the clamping device. Fig. 4 is a plan of one of the clamping-
wheels. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the escapement mechanism and actuating spring
used in the cut-out device. Fig. 6 is a side view of the lamp shewing parts of the
automatic reporting mechanism and a general diagram of electrical circuits. Figs. 7
and 8 show certain details in the escapement which sets the reporting mechanism
in action.
Referring to Fig. 1 the positive or upper carbon is shown at A¹. It is clamped

page_text: at A² to a cylindrical holder A³ of brass or other appropriate conducting material.
The said holder descends freely under the action of gravity between guide-wheels
arranged in pairs as shown at A' and A³. The negative or lower carbon B¹ is
united by clamp B³ to the lever B³ which is attached to the framework of the lamp
in a manner to be hereinafter explained.
The positive binding-post is shown at C¹, from which the current passes by.
conductors 1 and 2 to the positive carbon holder A³. For the conductor 2 it is
preferred to use a flexible wire which is wound around said carbon holder in a
number of convolutions which decrease in diameter as they ascend. The descent
of the positive carbou has the effect therefore of coiling said wire in a flat spiral
upon the top surface of the case in which the regulating mechanism is contained.
From said holder A³ the current passes to the positive electrode A¹, negative.
electrode B', lever B³, framework E and E², and negative binding-post C². A shuut
circuit spanning the electrodes and arc may be traced by the conductors 3, 4,
electro-magnets D¹ D³, and conductor 5. The electro-magnets D¹ D' each consists
of a soft-iron core D³ D' perforated axially, and surrounded by a coil or helix of
insulated wire. The two electro-magnets are attached respectively to the upper
and lower faces of an iron extension plate F', projecting from the iron yoke F
and provided with a central opening F. The armatures of these electro-magnets,
respectively shown at G³ and G³, are cylinders of soft-iron, which enter the axial
openings to greater or less distances, dependent upon the variable attractions of the
electro-magnets. The uppermost core Ġ' is sustained in its normal position by the
lever H, which is fulcrumed at H³, maintained in an elevated position by the
tension of a spring H³, and limited in its downward excursion by the adjustable
stop H. To the outer end of this lever two links I¹ I² are jointed, the lower ends
of these links being pivoted to the eccentrics J¹ J at points JJ, near the.
peripheries of the latter. To the same eccentrics, at points J³ and Jo, the lever-
arms K¹ and K are respectively pivoted. The two systems of levers used in the'
clamp are independently presented in Figs. 2 and 3. They may each be regarded.
as composed of three parts.
First, the arms M¹ M³ connected in the manner described to the eccentrics.
Second, the arms L' L³, to the latter of which is rigidly attached at the point L*
a vertical pin L*, carrying a loose sleeve L provided with an exterior screw-
thread turning in a nut formed in the arm L A spiral spring surrounds the
pin L, and has a tendency to elongate or expand but is compressed between the
flange of the sleeve L, and the lever L². The normal action of this spring is
therefore to separate the levers L' and L2, the object of which will be hereinafter
explained.
Third, the arms M' M' extending in the direction of the electro-magnets D² in
order to be operated by the armature lever N', which latter is fulcrumed at N'
to the standard F2, and provided with a spring attachment N* for maintaining it
in the normal position of rest shown in the figure.
The manner of operation of the above described apparatus is as follows: A
current entering by the binding-post C¹ traverses the electrodes A¹ and B', which
let it be assuined are in contact. The armature G' is so adjusted by spring H³
that it will be actuated (that is attracted downward into the axial opening) by
the slightest current which may traverse the electro-magnet D¹, thereby operating
the clamping device by bringing the eccentrics into frictional contact with the
holder A³ of the positive electrode. If sufficiently strong to produce the electric
arc, the current will not only clamp the holder of the positive electrode but will
also by the continual motion of the armature G' elevate it a sufficient distance to
produce the required separation of the electrodes. This condition is established
when the adjustable screw-stop H' has reached its limit of movement, which
prevents their further separation. The screw-stop H+ therefore serves to regulate
the length of arc, and is the portion of the apparatus which is to be properly
adjusted before use, in order to adapt the lamp to a current of the given strength.
The function of the lower armature C is to move the lever N on its stationary
;

page_text: fulcrum N, thereby causing it, when the current exceeds its normal strength, to
separate the arms M¹ M³ in opposition to the force of the spiral spring L'. This
action serves to release the grasp of the clamping eccentrics J J³ from the carbon
holder A by moving the centres of revolution J Je away from the said holder,
which is thereupon liberated to the action of gravity. As the armature G³ descends,
the levers M¹ M² are restored to the position of rest shown. in the figure by the
action of the spiral spring (L. In practice the action of the clamping mechanism
is exceedingly delicate, and the carbon-holder appears to gradually descend as the
electrodes are consumed, and the uniformity of the light is thus maintained.
The armatures of the electro-magnets D¹ D² are, as shown in the figure,
magnetically connected by the iron armature-levers H¹ N' respectively to the
upper and lower ends of the iron standard or yoke F. Hence the armatures G' G'
constitute the opposite poles of a single magnetic system and attain respectively to
a high degree of opposite polarity. They are therefore drawn into the respective
axial openings not only by the attraction of the solenoids but also by virtue of
their mutual attraction, which attraction is augmented by the presence of the
yoke F².
I will next describe that portion of the invention which has for its object to
practically withdraw from the circuit a defective lamp. There is shown in the
drawings an escapement axis P¹ carrying escapement wheels Ps and P³, the former
loosely, the latter rigidly. These wheels are connected by a spiral spring P
(Fig. 5) which surrounds the axis P¹. The wheel P³ is normally held in check by
a stop Q on the lever Q2, which latter is fulcrumed at Q3. When the strength of
current in the regulating shunt circuit, owing to the increasing resistance of the
arc, becomes abnormally great, the core G2 is raised sufficiently to bring the free
end of the lever N¹ into contact with the screw Q of the lever Q, as indicated by
the dotted lines, thus disengaging the stop Q₁ from the escapement-wheel P³, and
permitting the latter to revolve. When thus liberated, the escapement-wheel P³
advances through that portion of a single revolution which is necessary to bring
one of its teeth into contact with the stop S¹ upon the lever S². The power which
causes this revolution is derived primarily from the electro-magnet D¹, which
serves, through intermediate mechanism (namely, lever H³, and pawl P³) to turn
the wheel P through a fraction of a revolution and thus more or less wind up the
spring P. The electro-magnet D¹ is not employed in the office of winding the
said spring until the current has reached a sufficient strength to bring the stop R*
into contact with the lever H³. Under this arrangement, while the spring is sure
to be wound up in time, the electro-magnet is not encumbered with the function
of winding at times when the current is feeble, at which times its entire energy is
expended in separating the electrodes.
>
A second pawl or dog P is employed in a well-known manner to prevent a
retrograde movement of the ratchet-wheel P2 so that the spring power will be
expended in causing the revolution of the wheel P³. By this operation a shunt-
circuit of low resistance is closed spanning the electro-magnets, which may be
traced from the point 3 by the conductor 1, arbor-brace 5, escapement-wheel P³,
stop S¹, wire G and binding post C². Thus demagnetized by the diversion of the
current the magnets no longer attract their respective armatures, the clamping
mechanism returns to a position of non-operation, and the upper electrode is left
free to descend under the influence of gravity. This withdrawing action will
occur when, for any reason, the resistance of the arc exceeds a given amount, which
may be varied by manipulating the adjusting spring N
I will next describe that part of the invention which relates to the re-introduction'
of a restored lamp. There is shown in the drawings a lever B³, supporting the
lower electrode, and pivoted so that when the upper electrode descends upon-and-
depresses the lower one, the descending motion will be communicated to the long
arm of said lever, causing the short arm to be elevated. The motion of the short
arm is transmitted by a rod S5 (contained within the hollow post Es of the frame-
work) to the long arm of the lever -S2 which is pivoted at S³. The stop S¹ is

page_text: thereby depressed and disengaged from the escapement wheel P³, thus interrupting
the shunt-circuit spanning the electro-magnets, restoring them to the main circuit
and re-establishing the electric are in the manner already described.
旷
.
i In Figs 1 and 6 there is shown a reporting mechanism for sending to the central:
station the -pulsations for producing the distinguishing signal of any lamp when
out of order: In Fig. 6 four lamps 0 0 03 and O' are shown upon the circuit of
a single electric generator Z. The regulating mechanisms of lamps 01 02 and O
are not shown but they may be of the form described above. Whenever one of
the lamps is out of order, as for example the lamp 0³ the mechanism to be
presently described is brought into action for instituting upon the main line
certain electrical pulsations to be interpreted by the signalling device Y (Fig. 6).
at the central station, so that the operator at that point can ascertain the
designating number of the lamp in trouble.
J
The signalling device is put into operation by the action of the electro-magnet D²
which as before described is situated in a shunt-circuit spanning the electric arc,
for which reason its attractive force will be increased as the resistance of the arc
increases and the necessity of removing the lamp from the circuit and of calling
the attention of the inspector becomes greater. Its armature N¹ as already
explained acting in opposition to the adjustable spring N will (when the attraction
exceeds a predetermined strength capable of adjustment,) engage with said screw
and elevate the lever Q2 and through the latter the lever T, which is provided
with downwardly projecting stops T¹ and T. In this manner the stop. T¹ is
automatically withdrawn from the path of the pin Uº carried by the shaft Us and
the latter is disengaged or left free to revolve with the time-train mechanism,
which is actuated by a spring contained in the drum U¹ and which comprises the
wheels U and U The shaft Us carries the cam wheel U7 (best seen in Fig 6)
which is provided in this instance with three cams.
Detached views of the escapement mechanism, which it is preferred to use for
liberating the shaft U³ are shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The stop T' in moving from
the path of the pin U allows the latter to slide past it. At a point near the end
of a revolution the pin U° will be arrested by the stop T. When the lamp is
restored to operation the lever T is returned to its normal position and the pin U°
reassumes the position shown in the figures, namely in contact with the stop T¹.
The rotation of the cam-wheel U' causes the lever V to be elevated by the action
of the cam upon the periphery of the cam-wheel, causing in this instance three
successive elevations of the lever B. With each revolution the main circuit, which
traverses said lever, will be interrupted at the point W, but the current will
traverse the shunt-circuit including the artificial resistance X which is capable of
adjustment. There will therefore be transmitted through the circuit three electrical
pulsations.
The lamps 01 02 and O' may also be provided with cam-wheels, the number of
cams differing in each case in order to designate the lamps particularly. The
arrangement may be indefinitely extended in its application, the only difference
being in the number or manner of grouping these cams.
At the central station an interrupting mechanism Y is provided, preferably
consisting of an axial magnet or solenoid Y included in the main circuit, a core Y²,
and the lever Y³ properly adjusted (by means of the antagonistic spring Y*) to
respond to the pulsations transmitted over the line in the manner described.
Thus suppose that the lamp Os is cut out of circuit the consequent decrease of
resistance will cause a single stroke upon the bell thus calling the attention of the
attendant to the fact that one of the lamps is out of order. The cam-wheel U7
will also be revolved in the manner described. The successive elevations of the
lever V will introduce the resistance X (which is preferably equal to that of the
arc under its normal conditions) three successive times. This allows the bell
hammer Y carried upon the armature Y³ to drop. With each withdrawal of the
resistance X the hammer is actuated and accordingly three strokes are given, thus
potifying the operator that lamp O³ is out of order.

page_text: This form of interpreting or signalling device has been devised for use in
conjunction with any form of the well-known automatic current governors, the
office of which is to restore the normal strength of the current when for any reason,
as for example the cutting out of the lamp, it has been disturbed.
When such a
governor is used the interpreting device Y will not be again called into action
upon the termination of the signal, as by that time the said current governor will
have performed its function and restored the normal strength of current upon the
line, thereby allowing the hammer Y' to drop and be in readiness for a similar
difficulty occurring in any other lamp.
Having thus described the nature of this invention and the manner in which it
is to be performed, as communicated to me, I would have it understood that I
claim
1st. The method herein set forth, of establishing and maintaining an approxi-
mately uniform light, which consists in first revolving a clamping wheel upon an
eccentric bearing to separate the electrodes, and secondly in moving said bearing
to allow them to feed together.
2nd. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth of the movable
electrode of an arc light, clamping wheels pivoted upon eccentric bearings,
mechanism for revolving said clamping wheels to clamp said movable electrode,
and mechanism to vary the positions of said eccentric bearings for the purpose of
releasing said movable electrode.
3rd. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the movable
electrode of an arc light, a shunt circuit spanning the electric arc, a clamping wheel
mounted on an eccentric arbor in the vicinity of the holder of said movable electrode,
two electro-magnets vitalized by the current traversing said shunt circuit, respec-
tively operating to revolve said clamping wheel upon said eccentric arbor and to
impel said eccentric arbor away from or toward said electrode.
4th. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of the movable
electrode of an are lamp, two solenoids centered upon the same axial line and
included in a single shunt circuit spanning the electric arc, an axial core in each
solenoid moving under variations in the attraction thereof, mechanism operated by
one of said cores under the influence of slight currents to clamp said movable
electrode, and inechanism actuated by the other core under the influence of strong
currents to release said electrodes.
5th. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of two solenoids
included in one circuit, and placed end to end, two axial cores therein moving
under the joint influence of the currents traversing said solenoids and their own
mutual attraction, armature-levers actuated by the movements of said axial cores
and clamping nechanisin revolved on eccentric bearings by slight movements of
one of said axial cores, the mechanism actuated by movements of the other axial
core when beyond a predetermined extent for imparting motion to said eccentric
bearings.
6th. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of two electro-
magnets situated in the shunt circuit of an electric light, a spring, mechanism
actuated by one of said electro-magnets for winding said spring, mechanism
actuated by the other magnet when its strength exceeds a predetermined degree to
release said spring, and mechanism for short-circuiting said electric light actuated
by said spring when thus liberated.
7th. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of a supporting
lever for carrying the lower electrode of an arc light and capable of yielding under
the influence of pressure exerted upon said electrode, escapement mechanism
liberated by such movements of said supporting lever, and a shunt circuit spanning
said arc light opened by the action of said escapement mechanism.
8th. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of an electric lamp,
a device under control of the mechanism of said lamp for transmitting determinate
pulsations to indicate the identity of said lamp, and a mechanism by which said

page_text: pulsations are employed to produce a distinctive signal at another point in the
circuit.
9th. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an electric lamp,
a device set in operation by increases in the resistance of the arc of said electric
lamp, for transmitting determinate pulsations to indicate the identity of said lamp,
mechanism by which said pulsations are employed to produce a distinctive signal
at another point in the circuit.
10th. The combination, substantially as herein before set forth, of an electric
lamp, a cam-wheel set in revolution by an abnormal resistance created in said lamp,
a loop-circuit of adjustable resistance automatically introduced into the main circuit
as many times during a single revolution as there are cams upon said cam-wheel,
and an interpreting mechanism actuated with each introduction of said loop
circuit.
11th. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an electro-
magnet actuated correlatively with increases in the resistance of an electric arc,
escapement mechanism actuated by said electro-magnet, a cam-wheel set in motion
by said escapement mechanism, a series of camis of number selected to designate
said lamp, and a resistance automatically introduced into the main circuit by the
revolution of said cam-wheel.
12th. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of an electric
light, a main circuit including a lever, a loop circuit including a resistance, a cam-
wheel for automatically elevating said lever and thereby opening the main
circuit a predetermined number of times, substantially as and for the purposes
described.
13th. The combination, substantially as bereinbefore set forth, of a circuit of
electric lights, mechanism for establishing a definite number of pulsations
throughout said circuit, immediately after the automatic withdrawal of any light
from said circuit, and before the normal strength of current is restored by the
action of the current governor, and a signaling device actuated first by the
withdrawal of the lamp and afterwards by said pulsations.
In witness whereof I the said William Phillips Thompson have hereunto set my
hand and seal this sixth day of December in the year of our Lord, one thousand,
eight hundred and eighty three.
WP THOMPSON TO