IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC LIGHTING APPARATUS
Year: 1885

page_text: improveщения шапи геганци го штесито линии дррагали
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine, Lake, and Co, Patent
Agents, Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare
the nature of my invention for "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND RELATING TO ELECTRIC
LIGHTING APPARATUS" and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be
particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
Heretofore incandescent lamps have ordinarily been operated in parallel from a
quantity current but this method requires very large and expensive conductors,
and the current can even then be carried only a very limited distance.--
Incandescent lamps have heretofore, also been operated by a high tension
current, which of course can be carried long distances by comparatively small and
inexpensive conductors the lamps being arranged in multiple series that is to say,
the lamps being in parallel prearranged groups, while the separate groups them-
selves are in "series." Under this latter system whenever any one or more of the
lamps in each group is not in use, its resistance must be replaced by suitable
devices, as otherwise the remaining lamps in use in each group would receive more
than their proper share of the current and be speedily destroyed. As much
electric energy is therefore required to operate one lamp in each group as to
operate them all, and this system is consequently not well adapted to lighting
economically from a single main circuit a number of dwelling houses and other
buildings in a city wherein all the lamps are not generally required to be in use
at once.
I overcome this difficulty or objection, and herein my invention primarily
consists, by arranging all the lamps, in automatically adjustable, shifting or
changing groups, as contradistinguished from prearranged groups, so that whatever
number of lamps may happen to be in use at any one time, they will always be
automatically divided into such number of groups as their number will form, the
groups themselves being arranged in series, and the fraction of a group, if any,
being left over at the end near the return terminal of the main wire circuit. The
resistance of the remaining lamps in such fractional group is compensated for by

page_text: means of a shunt circuit having an automatically variable resistance to correspond
to the number of lamps in such fractional group, or by means of a group of
resistance coils one or more of which are put in parallel with the lamps of the
fractional group, as may be required. As some of the lamps are extinguished or
additional ones lighted, the groups are instantly and automatically rearranged.
The lamps are all arranged in the usual manner on cross-wires extending between
the two parallel legs or conductors of the main circuit. Each time the number of
the groups in the series is changed by the lighting or extinguishment of some
of the lamps, the connection of the return terminal leading to the generator, shifts
from one of the two legs or conductors between which the lamps are arranged to
the other; that is to say, when there is an odd number of groups, counting the
fractional group,
if any, the return terminal is connected to one of the two parallel
conductors, and when there is an even number of groups in the series it is
connected to the other parallel conductor. By thus shifting the terminal from one
parallel conductor to the other, as an additional group is added or taken away, the
current is forced to pass through all the groups in series.
The cross-wires for the lamps of each group or separate building, are connected
to an electro-motive circuit making and breaking device operated by the currents
passing through the two legs of the parallel conductor between which the lamps
are arranged, and which serve to automatically divide or arrange the lamps into
the required groups by breaking connection on one or the other leg of the parallel
conductors at the proper place. When an additional lamp is lighted in any group,
this electro-motive device operates to put the last lamp of such group into the next
succeeding group, thus causing a like change in each of the following groups.
When a lamp in any group is extinguished, this electro motive circuit making and
breaking device operates to put the first lamp in the succeeding group into the
preceding group.
The invention also consists in automatically changing the resistance of the shunt
circuit around the last or fractional group of incandescent lamps by means of an
electro-motive device included in the main circuit but which is normally short
circuited and which is put in operation, as occasion may require when a lamp in
the multiple arc group happens to be lighted or extinguished, by means of an
electro-magnet arranged in the local or incandescent lamp circuit in parallel like
one of the lamps. This feature of my invention is also applicable to the operation
of incandescent lamps in the usual fixed or prearranged groups, as heretofore has
been done, a variable resistance shunt in that case being provided around each
multiple arc group of lamps.
My invention also consists in the novel devices, combinations and arrangement of
mechanisms I have devised for practicing or carrying out my improved system
*** method.
In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this specification and in
which similar letters of reference indicate like parts-
Figure 1 is a diagram view of an arrangement of circuits partially embodying
my invention, and showing the lamps arranged in multiple are or parallel groups
between the two legs or conductors of the main wire circuit, the solenoid and
switch for shifting the return terminal of the main circuit to one leg or other of
the parallel conductor, and the variable resistance shunt to compensate for the
remaining lamps of a fractional group; in this figure, for sake of clearness, the
device for shifting the lamps from one group to another, the motor for operating
the same, and also the switch and its operating solenoid for breaking connection in
one leg or the other of the parallel conductor between the separate groups, is
omitted.
Figure 2 is a diagram view showing the device and its motor for shifting the
lamps from one group to another, the relay or controlling magnet for putting said
motor in operation, and the switch and its operating solenoid for automatically
grouping the lamps, or breaking connection in one leg or the other of the parallel
conductor so as to divide the lamps on each side of the break into different

page_text: groups; this figure also shows the arrangement of circuits and connections of these
different parts or devices with the two legs of the conductor between which the
lamps are arranged.
Figure 3 is a side elevation of the device for shifting lamps from one group to
another, said device consisting, as shown, of two semi-circular insulated disks in
each leg of the parallel conductor, with which the lamps are connected by suitable
brushes or contact pieces. These two insulated half disks in each leg, it will be
seen from Figure 2, are connected together. through a switch, if a break occurs at
this switch the lamps connected. with one of these half disks will be in a different
group from those connected with the other half disk, and it is obvious that by
turning the half disks a lamp or lamps may be shifted from one group to the
other.
•
Figure 4 is a detail view of the switch and its operating solenoid which shifts
the return terminal of the main circuit to one leg or the other according as the
total number of groups in the series is odd or even.
Figure 5 is a diagram view illustrating the arrangement of circuits and showing
three groups of lamps, with the two semi-disks in cach leg of the parallel conductor
extended flat, so that the arrangement of circuits and operation can be more
clearly seen. In this figure it will be observed that only a portion of the lamps in
each of the three groups are in use, the switches of two of the lamps being open in
the lower group, one in the middle group, and three in the upper group; and the
semi-disks are shown turned in different positions, and with a break at the switch
connecting the two semi-disks of the middle group (in the left hand leg,) and with
a break between the two right semi-disks of the upper group, so as to properly
divide into groups all the lamps which happened to be in use. I have also marked
on this figure the fraction of the current on each leg of the conductor at different
points and indicated its direction by arrows.
Figure 6 is a diagram view similar to Fig. 1, excepting that the device for
varying the resistance of the shunt circuit around the last or fractional group of
lamps, consists of a double solenoid which is normally short circuited and which is
put in operation by a relay magnet arranged in parallel or multiple are with the
lamps of such last or fractional group.
Figure 7 is a diagram view illustrating the application of the variable resistance
shown in Fig. 6, to the operation of incandescent lamps in prearranged multiple
arc groups.
Figures 8 and 9 are enlarged views showing the construction of the resistance
coil magnets shown in Fig. 1.
As will be seen from the drawing, Figs. 2 and 5, a lamp is automatically shifted
from one group to the adjoining group in front or rear when required, by means
of two revolving semicircular disks, in or forming part of each of the two legs of
the parallel conductor. These two revolving half disks in each leg are insulated
from each other, the connection between the two being through a switch or a
contact maker and breaker, so that when required the two half disks may be
automatically arranged in the same group or in adjoining groups.
The lamps
or their cross wires for each group or building, are all connected with these two
pair of revolving half disks in the two legs of the parallel conductor by suitable
brushes or contact strips pressing against the half disks, all the strips being
arranged on a little less than half the circumference of the two half disks, so
that by revolving the half disks, all the lamps may be connected with one or the
other disk, or part with each as may be required. Whenever the two half disks
are in different or adjoining groups, by revolving them one way or the other, it
will thus be seen, lamps may be shifted or changed from one group to the other, as
may be required to maintain the proper number of lamps in the preceding group.
When the two half disks are both in the same group their revolution of course
makes no change in the grouping of the lamps.
The disks are revolved in either direction by means of a small electric motor,
the field of which is connected with a cross-wire extending between the two legs

page_text: of the parallel conductor like the lamp wires and which remains constantly in
circuit. A high resistance electro-magnet is also arranged on this cross wire, so
that only a small fraction of the current will pass through the field magnet of the
motor. The armature magnet of the motor is also connected with a cross wire
extending between the two legs of the parallel conductor, but the ends of this
cross-wire are connected with the opposite legs of the parallel conductor through
two switch levers, so that the direction of the current through the armature of
the motor may be one way or the other according as the connection is made
through one of these switch levers or the other. And the armature circuit is
broken when connection is made through neither one of these switch levers.
These switch levers are operated by the high resistance electro-magnet in circuit
with the field of the motor. One of these switch levers is drawn up said magnet
so as to make connection or complete the circuit through the armature of the
motor when there are too few lamps in the group, and therefore more than the
normal amount of current passing through said magnet, and thus cause the motor
to turn the half disks forward or in the direction necessary to increase the number
of lamps in the group. On the other hand when there are too many lamps in the
group, the current passing through this high resistance magnet, falls below its
normal amount, thus causing the other switch lever to drop away from its normal
position, make connection and complete the circuit, so that the current will pass
in the opposite direction through the armature of the motor and thus revolve the
disks backward, or in the direction necessary to diminish the number of lamps in
the group. When the proper number of lamps in the group is again attained, the
normal amount is flowing through the high resistance magnet, and both of these
switch levers occupy the position to break the circuit through the armature of
the motor, so that the motor shaft and the revolving half disks driven by it remain
stationary.
Connection is made between the two half disks on each leg of the parallel
conductor through a wire connected with one coil of a double solenoid, the core
of which operates a switch or contact piece through which also the current passes,
and which breaks connection on one or the other leg of the parallel conductor as
may be required to divide the lamps into the necessary groups. This double
solenoid is so adjusted that when there is a less fraction of the current than that
necessary to operate one lamp on one leg of the parallel conductor and passing
through one coil of the solenoid, and a greater fraction of the current than that
necessary to operate all the lamps but one of the group on the other leg of the
parallel conductor and passing through the other coil of the solenoid, that the core
of said solenoid will be pulled to one side and thus break connection between the
revolving disks on that leg of the parallel conductor having the small fraction of
the current, and thereby make a division between groups at such point. When
the current passing along each leg of the parallel conductor is a greater fraction
than that required for one lamp, the core of the double solenoid remains in its
middle position so that there is no break between the two disks on each leg of the
parallel conductor.
In said drawing A may represent a dynamo machine or other generator, A¹ one
terminal of the main circuit, and A' the return terminal of the same. B and B¹
are the two legs of the parallel conductor, between which the incandescent lamps
or other translating devices a are arranged on suitable cross-wires b. A number
of arc lamps a¹ may be included in the main circuit in series. The incandescent
lamps are simply represented by small circles and the arc lamps by crosses, as
their construction is well known to those skilled in the art and as any suitable
kind or make may be used.
In the drawing, I have represented for convenience, the lamps as being arranged
in groups of eight, it will however be of course understood, that the number of
lamps in each parallel group may be varied according to the energy of the current
generated. Ordinarily I deem it preferable to use a current of sufficient power
to operate twenty lamps in a parallel group. Between the parallel conductors B

page_text: and B¹ at the end thereof or near the return terminal, as shown in Fig. 1, I arrange
in parallel on cross-wires b¹, like the lamps a number of resistance coils b, corre-
sponding to the number to the number of lamps in the group, and also a high
resistance electro-magnet C, the coil of which remains permenantly in circuit.
The resistance of the shunt circuit 6' around the last or fractional group of
lamps, is of course varied according as one or more of the branch circuits bl
are open and one or more of the resistance coils cut out. Each of the
resistance coils b' has a core 63 and an armature lever b*, provided with a
spring b The armature lever b of the high resistance magnet C and its
contact piece be are in circuit with the cross wires 61 of the first or lower
resistance coil 62; and the armature lever 6' and contact piece 6ª of the first
resistance coil are in circuit with the next succeeding resistance coil, and
so on. The spring 6 of each suceeding armature lever is slightly stronger
than its preceding one, so that the last resistance coil will always be cut out
first, as the last armature lever will be pulled back first when the current
falls below its normal strength. Whenever the number of lamps lighted form
only a fraction of a group or one or more groups and a fraction of a group
over, one or more of the resistance coils, 62, are put in parallel with the lamps of
such fractional group to compensate for the resistance of the remaining or
unlighted lamps of the fractional group. When one of the lamps is extinguished,
the amount of current passing through the resistance coils is increased, thus
causing the last resistance coil to pull up its armature and put the next resistance
coil in the group; when an additional lamp is lighted the current through the.
resistance coils, is diminished and the last armature lever is pulled back, thus
cutting out the last resistance coil. As the coil of the high tension electro-
magnet C remains always in circuit, it will always be in position to operate the
armature lever b' and put the first resistance coil in circuit whenever required.
The legs B B¹ of the parallel conductor are each connected to the return
terminal A through the coils c c' of a double solenoid, and switch levers c² c³,
contact pieces c c c c', and branch wires o c³. One of the branch wires, c³, offers
a free course for the current, but the other, c³, has a very high resistance. clo
therein, so that only a very small fraction of the current can take this course.
The switch levers c³ ³ are operated by the movable core c¹ of the double solenoid,
to shift the connection of the return terminal through the branch wire, c³, from one
leg to the other whenever the total number of groups is changed by the lighting or
extinguishment of soine of the lamps. To accomplish this the core of the solenoid
is adjusted so as to move to the right or left according as nearly the whole of the
current is on one or the other leg of the parallel conductor, and consequently
passing through one or the other coil of the double solenoid.
D D¹ and D³ D³ are the two pair of insulated revolving half disks forming part
of the two legs of the parallel conductor, and to which the cross wires b of each
group of lamps or the lamps of each building are connected through the contact
strips d. These contact strips for each group are all arranged on a little less than
a semi-circle on the insulator pieces D* D*, so that by revolving the disks all of the
lamps may be arranged between the half disks D D or D' D³, or part between the
former and part between the latter, as may be required in adjusting or dividing
into groups the total number of lamps in the electric circuit. These revolving
semi-circular disks are secured to the insulating plates D³ D6 mounted on the
shaft D', which is journaled in suitable bearings. Ds on the frame. Connection is
made by the contact strips or brushes d² d³ between the leg B of the parallel
conductor and the half disks D D¹, and by the brushes d' d between the leg B¹
and the half disks D D. Connection is made between the half disks D D¹ through
a wire e leading from half disk D to insulated ring F, brush f, coil E of a double
solenoid, contact piece e¹, switch e, contact piece e³, brush f¹, insulated ring F1,
and thence back to half disk D¹. The connection between the half disks D2 D3 is
made in the same manner through a wire g leading from half disk D* through
insulated ring G, brush g', other coil E of the double solenoid, contact g³, switch g³,

page_text: contact g, brush g³, insulated ring G¹ and thence back to half disk D³. The double
solenoid is so adjusted by means of a spring or weighted lever E³, that its core E
which operates the switch or contact pieces e and will remain stationary in its
middle position when a greater fraction of the current than that required for one
lamp, is on each leg of the parallel conductor and passing through the coils E E¹ of
the solenoid; but whenever a less fraction of the current is passing through one of
its coils, the core will be thereby pulled towards the coil of the solenoid having the
greater share of the current and thus cause the switch e² or g³ to break connec-
tion at ee or at g² 9, and thus, divide the lamps connected between the half
disks D D and those connected between the half disks D¹ D³ into different groups.
The function and purpose of the double solenoid E, E¹, E', and the switches e², g³,
operated thereby, it will thus be seen, is to automatically group the lamps, or make
a division between groups by breaking connection on one leg or the other of the
parallel conductor as may be required.
The disks D D1 D2 D3 are revolved backwards or forwards to increase or
diminish the number of lamps in the group as may be required from time to time
as lamps are lighted or extinguished, by means of a small electric motor H, the
driving shaft h of which is provided with a gear h¹ that meshes with a gear h³ on
the revolving disk shaft D. The field magnet H¹ of this motor is connected with
the two legs B B¹ of the parallel conductor by a cross-wire ³ that extends from
one leg to the other, like the lamp wires; and it remains constantly in circuit. On
this same cross-wire h³ in series with the field of the motor is also an electro-
magnet I, provided with armature levers I¹ 1 one at each end of its core, each of
which is provided with two insulated contact pieces and . The contact
pieces register with two corresponding insulated contact pieces 2³ connected
by the cross-wire with the legs B B¹ of the parallel conductor. And the contact
pieces register with the contact pieces 167 which connect through the cross-
wire extending between the legs B¹ B. The circuit wire of the motor armature
is connected through the wires with the contact pieces on each of the
levers I 1. The spring I³ of the armature lever 1¹ is of such tension as to pull
the lever back when the magnet I falls below its normal force, that is to say when
too many lamps are in the group, and thus make connection between the contacts i
and and between i¹ and is, thereby putting the armature of the motor in circuit,
the current passing in the direction necessary to cause the motor to revolve the
half disks D, D¹, D, D³, backwards or in the direction to shift the last lamp in the
group into the next succeeding group. When the lamps in the group are too few,
the force of the magnet I will be increased above its normal condition, thus pulling
up the lever I³ and putting the armature of the motor in circuit, but this time the
current will pass in the opposite direction through the motor armature, that is to
say, in at the upper brush j³ and out at the lower brush jo, and thus revolve the
armature shaft in the opposite direction from before, and turn the half discs D, D¹,
D2, D3 forwards instead of backwards, and move the first lamp of the succeeding
into the preceding group.
The contact strips or brushes d² d' d' d³ are made wider than the space or
insulation between the half disks D D' and D' D³, so that as the half disks revolve
there may be no break when the brushes are opposite the space D' between the
disks; and by this arrangement when the disks stand in the position shown in
Fig. 3, the solenoid E E¹ will be short circuited, thus allowing the weighted
lever E to restore the core E³ to its middle position; and several contact
connections are thereby also avoided. The brushes or strips d are made narrower
than the space D2, so that they cannot be in contact with both half disks at once.
As shown in Fig. 5, six lamps are represented as being in use or operation
between the two lower half disks D D and none between the two half disks D¹ D³
of this lower group or set. One lamp, a, or it may be a fixed resistance equal to
one lamp, is shown below the six lamps of this lower set. In the middle set one
lamp is shown in use between the upper pair of disks D D³, and six lamps in use
between the two lower half disks D D'. In the top set two lamps are in use

page_text: between the left hand half disks, and three between the right hand half disks.
Nineteen lamps in all are thus represented in use, forming two complete groups of
eight lamps each and a fractional group of three lamps.
The course of the current is as follows, one eighth of it passes from B to B¹
through the lower lamp or resistance a, six eighths of it passes from the half disk D
to the half disk D' through the six lamps of the lower set, and one eighth of it from
the half disk D¹ to the half disk D³ of the middle set through the first or bottom
lamp of that set, thus making eight lamps in the group between which the current
has divided. The current then passes back again from B¹ to B, six eighths of it
through the six lamps of the middle set which connect with the lower half
disks D D thereof, and two eighths of it through the two lamps which connect
with the two left hand half disks D3 D₁ of the upper set, thus making the eight
lamps of the second complete group. The division between the first and second
groups is made by the full current passing from the half disk D³ of the middle set
to the balf disk D³ of said set through the right hand coil E¹ of the double solenoid,
thus pulling the core to the right and breaking connection at the switch between
the half disks D D' of the middle set. In the same way the division between
the second and third groups is made on the right hand side or in the leg B' by
connection being broken between the half disks D D³ of the upper set, by reason
of the full current passing from the half disk D of the upper set to the half
disk D' of said set through the left hand coil E of the double solenoid. In order
to hold the four point switch in position and prevent the core cll of the double
solenoid from moving except at the proper time, that is to say not until after the
number of groups have been changed by the group dividing or adjusting mechanism,
before described, I provide a little electro-magnet K, the coil of which is connected
by the wire k with the cross-wire b¹ of the first resistance coil 6%. This magnet has
a pivoted armature lever k¹ that engages in notches in the core of the solenoid
whenever the current is passing through the cross-wire b¹, but which drops away
the moment the current through the coil b2 of the first resistance coil ceases as it
does every time the fractional group is completed or the number of groups in the
entire circuit is changed. As soon as this armature lever k¹ drops away, the core
of the solenoid moves to the other side and thus shifts the switch levers so as to
connect the return terminal with the other leg of the parallel conductor, as herein
before described.
.
I have shown in the drawing at Figure 1, the variable resistance as consisting of
the coils b arranged in parallel between the legs B B¹ like the lamps, as this is a
convenient way of compensating for the resistance of the remaining lamps of the
fractional group, if any, But this variable resistance may be otherwise arranged
and other devices may be employed to vary the resistance, as shown in Figure 6,
but a single switch lever c³ is employed to shift the return terminal A' from one
leg to the other of the parallel conductor, and the resistances 6 6 6 in the
shunt b' need not be made in the form of coils or electro magnets for the purpose
As shown in
of varying the resistance, but may consist of any suitable resistance.
this figure, the aggregate resistance of the shunt b¹ is varied by means of a double
solenoid, the movable core N of which operates to move a contact piece n secured
thereto to the right or left so as to break connection with one or more or all of the
contact pieces 66 and thus cut out one or more or all of the resistances b². Both
the coils N¹ and N* of this double solenoid are included in the main circuit A², but
they both remain normally short circuited, the former by a short circuit wire m
leading from a point, as x, to a point, as x¹, and the latter by a short circuit
wire m' leading from a point, as x², to a point, as ³. One or the other of these
short circuits m m¹ is opened as occasion may require and the current forced to pass
through one or the other coil of the double solenoid by means of a relay electro-
magnet M, the coil M¹ of which is included in a branch wire as bin parallel with
the lamps of the last group. The coil of this magnet is of fine wire or high
resistance, so that only a small fraction of the current will pass through it, as for
example one fifth the amount sufficient to operate one incandescent lamp in the

page_text: group. The electro-magnet M has two armature or switch levers m²m³, the former
serves to close the short circuit' m by making connection with the contact piece m
when moved from its normal position by the decreased force of the magnet M. The
other switch lever m³ serves to open the short circuit m¹ by breaking connection
with the contact piece m³ when said lever is moved from its normal position by
reason of the increased attraction of the magnet M. The springs me and m² by
which the levers m³ and m³ are retracted, are so adjusted that the former will not
retract the lever m² until the force of the magnet M falls below its normal amount,
and that the latter will hold the lever m³ retracted except when the force of the
magnet M is increased above its normal amount, The coils N¹ and N of the double
solenoid it will thus be seen are both short circuited and so remain except
momentarily when it is necessary to vary the resistance in the shunt circuit, by
reason of the lighting or extinguishment of some of the lamps in the parallel
group. When an additional lamp is lighted, the current that passes through the
coil of the magnet M is diminished, thus permitting the spring me to withdraw the
armature lever m² and thus break connection between m³ and m', thus causing
the current to pass from the point through the coil N¹ of the solenoid, and thereby
drawing its movable core N with its bridge piece n to the right, thus breaking
connection with one of the contact pieces 6° 6° etc, and thus cutting out one of the
parallel resistances 626262 etc, which increases the aggregate resistance of the shunt
circuit. The moment this is done the portion of the current through the lamp
circuit is again increased to the proper amount to supply such increased number of
lamps, and the coil of the magnet M again receives its normal amount and the
magnet is restored to its normal strength, thereby drawing up the armature
lever m² so as to make connection at m' and again reestablish the current through
the short circuit m. When one of the lamps in the parallel group happens to be
extinguished, the force of the magnet M is thereby momentarily increased above its
normal amount, thus drawing up the armature lever m³ and breaking connection
between m³ and mo, forces the current to pass through the coil N' at the opposite
end of the solenoid, thus moving the core N and bridge n to the left and causing it
to make connection with an additional contact piece b b b etc, and thus by
putting an additional parallel resistance b³ 6' etc, in the shunt circuit, diminishes
its aggregate resistance, so that a greater portion of the current will pass through
the shunt circuit and a less through the lamp circuit to correspond to the diminished
number of lamps in the parallel group. The moment this is done, the current
through the coil of the magnet M being again reduced to its normal amount, the
spring m draws back the armature lever thus reestablishing the short circuit m¹
the same as before. To prevent the switch c³ from shifting the return terminal A*
from one leg to the other of the parallel conductor before the core N moves from
its right hand to its left hand position after the completion of a group, I provide
the relay magnet M with a coarse wire or low resistance coil M³ which is included
in a branch circuit O leading from a point, as a³, between the solenoid coil c¹ and the
contact piece c' to a point, as 2, between the solenoid coil c and the contact piece c³.
This circuit O remains normally open, but it is momentarily closed each time a group
is completed, that is to say each time the variable resistance shunt is opened by the
movement of the core N to its full limit to the right, by means of a sliding contact
piece o operated by an insulated finger or projection n³ on the contact piece n, and
which makes connection at o¹ with the contact piece n¹. The moment the circuit O
is thus closed the current passing through the coil M* of the relay magnet M will move
the switch lever m³ and thus open the short circuit m' and thereby cause the core N
to be moved to its full limit to the left and reduce the resistance of the shunt b¹
to its minimum. The circuit O is opened the moment the core N reaches the
limit of its movement to the left by reason of the projection n' moving the sliding
contact piece o. In case the core N and its bridge piece n should be left to the
right when the current closes from any cause, so that the shunt circuit should be
thus left either entirely open or with only one or two resistance coils in the same,
it is obvious, that when the current is again turned on the lamp circuit, if only one
.

page_text: or two lamps should happen to be lighted or turned on, they would be likely to
suffer injury. To guard against such contingency and danger, I provide a device
for pulling the core N entirely to the left so as to put all the parallel resistances b³ b²,
etc, in the shunt circuit whenever the current is turned off the local circuit. Any
suitable device for this purpose may be employed. A convenient means is to
arrange an electro magnet L in the circuit, the armature lever of which is
operated by a spring to release a spring, weight, or other force, L¹, connected by
a cord with the core N, whenever the current in the local circuit ceases. The
cord passes one or more times around a pulley which carries on its shaft a
ratchet that engages the end of the armature lever. The spring ¹ by raising
the lever releases the pulley so that the weight can descend and pull the core N
to the left. When a current is on the circuit, the electro magnet L pulls the
lever into engagement with ratchet 1, thus holding the pulley from revolving
backward so that the weight can have no effect.
It should be observed that while the revolving half disks D D¹ D', D³ constitute
the most improved form of my invention, still other movable contact pieces for
shifting lamps from one group to another, as for example sliding contact pieces,
may be employed.
Nor is my invention limited to any particular kind of switches or electro motive
devices.
A small electric motor I however deem to be much the more convenient way
of operating the contact pieces D, D¹, D³, D³.
In Fig. 7, I have shown the variable resistance shunt, the controlling relay
magnet, and the double solenoid for operating the resistance changing mechanism,
as applied to fixed or prearranged groups of incandescent lamps. In this appli-
cation of this feature of my invention it will of course be observed that the
switch and its operating mechanism and also the group shifting devices are not
required.
As shown in Figs. 8 and 9, each of the armature switch levers 6' is provided
with an arm 67 which overlaps or projects over the next preceding armature
lever b, so that said armature levers must be retracted by their springs 66 in the
reverse order to that in which they are drawn up by the attraction of their
magnets. The force of the springs 6 are so graduated by their respective adjusting
screws that the armature levers or switches b', will be drawn up successively one
after another and be retracted in the reverse order, but these overlapping arms b'
will render the operation of the levers more certain.
If desired the double solenoid E E¹ Es may like the double solenoid c c¹, be
supplied with an electro magnet K to hold the core E³ stationary until the proper
time. If this is done the coil of this holding magnet should be included in series
with the relay magnet I, and the fixed magnet of the motor H on the branch wire.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare what
I claim is
1. The combination with a main circuit having two legs or conductors, of a
number of incandescent lamps or other translating devices arranged between said
legs in a series of adjustable or shifting groups as contradistinguished from fixed or
prearranged groups, so that the number of groups may change from time to time
according to the number of lamps actually in use, substantially as specified.
2. A main circuit having two legs or conductors, a number of incandescent
lamps arranged in groups between them, an electro-motive device actuated by the
current passing on said legs, and a switch operated thereby to break connection in
one of said legs when the fraction of the current thereon falls below that required
for one lamp in the group, and thus automatically divide the lamps into groups,
substantially as specified.
3. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with a
number of incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, an electro-motive

page_text: device actuated by the current passing on said legs, a switch operated thereby to
break connection on one of said legs when the fraction of the current thereon falls
below that required for one lamp, and a variable resistance to compensate for the
resistance of the remaining lamps of a fractional group, substantially as specified.
4. The combination with a main circuit having two legs or conductors, of a
number of incandescent lamps or other translating devices arranged between said
legs in a series of adjustable or shifting groups as contradistinguished from fixed
or prearranged groups, so that the number of groups may change from time to
time according to the number of lamps actually in use, and a switch for shifting
the return terminal of said main circuit from one of said legs to the other when tho
number of groups is changed, substantially as specified..
5. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with a
number of incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, and an electro-
motive device actuated by the current passing on said legs, a switch operated
thereby to break connection on one of said legs when the fraction of the current
thereon falls below that required for one lamp, and a switch for shifting the return
terminal of the main circuit from one of said legs or conductors to the other when
the number of groups is changed, substantially as specified.
6. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with a
number of incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, an electro motive
device actuated by the current passing on said legs, a switch operated thereby to
break connection on one of said legs when the fraction of the current thereon falls
below that required for one lamp, and a variable resistance to compensate for the
resistance of the remaining lamps of a fractional group, and a switch for shifting
the return terminal from one of said legs to the other, substantially as specified.
7. The combination with a main circuit having two legs or conductors, of a
number of incandescent lamps or other translating devices arranged between said
legs in a series of automatically adjustable or shifting groups as contradistinguished
from fixed or prearranged groups, so that the number of groups may change from
time to time according to the number of lamps actually in use, a switch for
shifting the return terminal from one of said legs to the other when the number of
groups is changed, and an electro-motive device actuated by the current on said
legs for operating said switch, substantially as specified.
8. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with a
number of incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, an electro-motive
device actuated by the current passing on said legs, a switch operated thereby to
.break connection on one of said legs, when the fraction of the current thereon falls
below that required for one lamp, and a variable resistance to compensate for the
resistance of the remaining lamps of a fractional group, and a switch for shifting
the return terminal from one of said legs to the other, and an electro-motive device
actuated by the current on said legs for operating said switch, substantially as
specified.
9. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with
incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, said lamps being connected
to said legs through movable contact pieces or disks, so that by moving said
contact pieces or disks lamps may be shifted from one group to another,
substantially as specified.
10. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with a
number of incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, a pair of revolving
half disks in each of said legs or conductors, brushes connecting lamps with said
disks, a switch to make or break connection between the two disks in each leg or
conductor, and an electric motor to revolve said disks, to shift lamps from one
group to the other, substantially as specified.
11. The combination with two parallel conductors of two or more groups of
incandescent lamps arranged between them, and means for shifting the lamps or
their connections from one group to the other, substantially as specified.

page_text: 12. The combination with two conductors, of two or more groups of incan-
descent lamps, and movable contact pieces to which a number of lamps are
connected, and an electro motive device for moving said contact pieces to shift the
lamps from one group to another as may be required, substantially as specified.
13. The combination with a main-circuit having two legs or conductors, two or
more groups of incandescent lamps arranged between them, means of shifting the
lamps or their connections from one group to another, automatic electric switches
to make or break connection in each of said legs or conductors, and an automatic
electric switch to shift the connection of the return terminal from one of said legs
or conductors to the other when the number of groups is changed, substantially as
specified.
14. The combination of a main circuit having two legs or conductors, with a
number of incandescent lamps arranged in groups between them, a pair of revolving
half disks in each of said legs or conductors, brushes connecting lamps with said
disks, a switch to make or break connection between the two disks in each leg or
conductor, and an electric-motor to revolve said disks, to shift lamps from one
group to the other, and a switch to change the return terminal from one of said
legs to the other, substantially as specified.
15. The combination of main circuit A, having legs or conductors B B¹, with
lamps a arranged in groups between them on cross-wires b, revolving half disks D
D¹ D' D³, double solenoid E E¹ having its coils connected with said disks, switches e¹
and g³, electric-motor H having its field H¹ connected with said parallel conductors,
electro-magnet I, having armature levers I¹ I' provided with switches adapted to
make connection with the armature magnet of said motor, and pass the current
in opposite directions through said armature magnet according as connection is
made through one or the other of said levers I¹ I2, substantially as specified.
16. The combination of a main circuit A, having legs or conductors B B', with
lamps a arranged in groups between them on cross-wires b, revolving half disks D
D' D D³, double solenoid E E¹ having its coils connected with said disks, switches e²
and g³, electric-motor H having its field H¹ connected with said parallel conductors,
electro-magnet I, having armature levers I¹ I' provided with switches adapted to
make connection with the armature magnet of said motor, and pass the current in
opposite directions through said armature magnet according as connection is
made through one or the other of said levers 1' 12, and a solenoid c c¹, switch c² c³,
substantially as specified.
17. The combination of a main circuit A, having legs or conductors B B', with
lamps a arranged in groups between them on cross-wires b, revolving half disks D
D1 D2 D³, double solenoid E E' having its coils connected with said disks, switches e
and g³, electric motor H having its field H' connected with said parallel conductors,
electro-magnet I, having armature levers I¹ 12 provided with switches adapted to
make connection with the armature magnet of said motor, and pass the current in
opposite directions through said armature magnet according as connection is made
through one or the other of said levers II', and a solenoid cc', switch c³ c³, electro-
magnet C, and resistance coils 6* having cores 63 and switch lever armatures b*,
substantially as specified.
18. The combination of a main circuit A, having legs or conductors B B¹, with
lamps a arranged in groups between them on cross-wires b, revolving half disks D
D¹ D³ D³, double solenoid E E' having its coils connected with said disks, switches e³
and g³, electric-motor H having its field H¹ connected with said parallel conductors,
electro-magnet I having armature levers I¹ I' provided with switches adapted to
make connection with the armature magnet of said motor, and pass the current in
opposite directions through said armature magnet according as connection is made
through one or the other of said levers I¹ I, and a solenoid c c¹, switch c³ c³,
electro-magnet C, and resistance coil b² having cores b³ and switch-lever armatures b*,
and electro-magnet K connected with the first resistance coil, and having an
armature leverk engaging in notches in the movable core of said solenoid c c',
substantially as specified..

page_text: 19. The combination of revolving disks D D D D³ with shaft D', parallel
conductors B B¹ and an electric motor H for revolving said shaft, substantially as
specified.
20. The combination of revolving disks D D1 D2 D3 with shaft D³, parallel
conductors B B¹ and an electric motor H for revolving said shaft, and an electro-
magnet actuated by the current on said conductors B B to reverse the direction of
the current through said motor and turn said shaft in one direction or the other as
may be required, substantially as specified.
21. The combination of revolving disks D D¹ D² D³ with shaft D7, parallel
I conductors B B₁ and an electric motor H for revolving said shaft, and an electro
magnet actuated by the current on said conductors B B¹ to reverse the direction
of the current through said motor and turn said shaft in one direction or the other
as may be required, and an electro magnet I, having armature switch-levers I¹ I³, to
start said motor in one direction or the other according as the fraction of the current
on one of said legs is greater or less than that required for one lamp, substantially
as specified..
22. The combination of parallel conductors B B', lamps a half disks D D¹ D* D³,
solenoid E E¹ and switches operated thereby, motor H, electro magnet I having
switch levers I¹ 12, substantially as specified.
23. The combination of parallel conductors B B¹, lamps a, half disks D D1 D2 D³,
solenoid E E¹ and switches operated thereby, motor H, electro magnet I, having
switch levers I¹ I³, resistance coils 6%, and electro-magnet C, substantially as
specified.
24. The combination of parallel conductors B B', lamps a, half disks D D¹ D³ D³,
solenoid E E¹ and switches operated thereby, motor H, electro magnet I, having
switch levers I¹ 13 resistance coils 62, and electro-magnet C, and solenoid c c¹ and
switches operated thereby, substantially as specified.
25. The combination of parallel conductors B B¹, lamps a, cross-wires b, revolving
disks D D D D³, insulating plates D³ Do, shaft D', brushes d, d² d³ d' d³, insulated
rings F F¹ G G¹, brushes f f g g¹ and double solenoid E E¹ and switches operated
thereby, substantially as specified..
26. The system or means of operating a number of incandescent lamps from a
suitable source of electric energy, consisting in a main circuit having two parallel
legs or conductors, a number of incandescent lamps connected between said
conductors, means for opening the circuit in said conductors on alternate sides to
arrange said lamps in a serries of groups, and means for shifting lamps from one
group to another, substantially as specified."
27. The combination with a main circuit of a local or incandescent lamp circuit
having two or more incandescent lamps arranged in parallel group, with a shunt
circuit having two or more resistance coils 62 arranged in parallel group, switches
connected with said coils, each of said resistance coils forming part of an electro-
magnet for operating a switch to put each succeeding resistance coil in the shunt
circuit when required, substantially as specified.
28. The combination of a local or incandescent lamp circuit having a number of
incandescent lamps arranged in parallel group, with a shunt circuit having two or
more resistance coils 62, each resistance coil being provided with a core, an
armature lever b and contact piece be, whereby each succeeding resistance coil
may be put in the shunt circuit by the preceding one, substantially as specified.
29. The combination of a local or incandescent lamp circuit, having a number of
incandescent lamps arranged in parallel group, with a shunt circuit having two or
more resistance coils 63, each resistance coil being provided with a core, an
armature lever b and contact piece 66, and springs 65 for said armature levers,
each succeeding spring being stronger than the preceding one, whereby said
armature levers will be pulled back in the reverse order, substantially as specified...
30. The combination of a local or incandescent lamp circuit having a number of
incandescent lamps arranged in parallel group, with a shunt circuit having a
number of resistance coils, each resistance coil being provided with a core, an

page_text: armature lever and a contact piece, and each of said armature levers being
provided with a projecting arm 6' overlapping its preceding armature lever, so
that said armature levers must drop away in the reverse order to that in which
they are pulled up, substantially as specified.
31. The combination of a series of three or more electro-magnets having
armature levers 6, each provided with an arm or projection 67 overlapping its
preceding armature lever, so that said armature levers must be drawn back in their
reverse order, substantially as specified.
32. The combination of a series of electro-magnets having armature levers 64
provided with arms or projections 6' overlapping each preceding armature lever,
and springs b of gradually increasing strength, so that said armature levers will
drop away in reverse order, substantially as specified.
33. The combination of a local or incandescent lamp circuit, having two or more
incandescent lamps arranged in parallel group, with a shunt circuit having two or
more resistance coils b³, circuit closing switches connected with said coils, each of
said resistance coils formning part of an electro magnet for operating one of said
switches, and an electro-magnet the coil of which is in parallel with the lamps
for operating one of said switches to close said shunt circuit, substantially as
specified.
34. The combination of a local or incandescent lamp circuit having two or more
incandescent lamps or other translating devices arranged in parallel group, with an
electro-motive device or magnet arranged in said circuit in parallel like one of the
lamps, a shunt circuit having an automatically variable resistance, an electro-
motive device normally short circuited arranged in the main circuit for varying
the resistance in the shunt circuit, said electro-motive device being put in
operation by said electro motive device in said local or lamp circuit, substantially
as specified.
35. The combination of a main or high tension circuit A¹, with a local or lamp
circuit having incandescent lamps a, and electro-magnet M arranged in parallel,
shunt circuit b³, having resistances 62 62, etc, arranged in parallel, and an electro-
motive device operating a contact maker n to vary the resistance of said shunt as
occasion may require, said electro-motive device being put in operation by said
electro magnet M in the lamp circuit, substantially as specified.
36. The combination of a main circuit, with a local or incandescent lamp circuit
having a group of incandescent lamps and an electro-magnet M in parallel, a shunt
circuit having a variable resistance, a contact maker n for varying said resistance
in said shunt circuit, a double solenoid normally short circuited in the main circuit
and having a movable core N for operating said contact maker n, said magnet, M,
operating to put one or the other coil of said double solenoid in the main circuit
and cause the same to thus increase or diminish the resistance of the shunt circuit
according as the resistance in the lamp circuit is increased or diminished by the
lighting or extinguishment of some of the lamps, substantially as specified.
37. The combination of a local or incandescent lamp circuit having two or more
incandescent lamps in parallel group, with a shunt circuit having an automatically
variable resistance, an electro-magnet or relay, the coil of which is arranged in
parallel with said lamps, and an electro-motive device, normally short circuited,
set in operation by said relay for varying the resistance of said shunt, substantially
as specified.
38. The combination with a main or high tension circuit, of a number of
incandescent lamps in multiple arc or parallel group, a shunt circuit around the
group of lamps having a variable resistance included therein, a relay included in a
branch circuit, and an electro-motive device set in operation by said relay for
varying the resistance of said shunt, substantially as specified.
39. The combination with a main or are light circuit, of a group of incandescent
lamps in multiple arc, a variable resistance shunt around said group, an electro
magnet or relay included in a branch circuit, and a double solenoid for varying the

page_text: resistance of said shunt, the action of said solenoid being controlled by said relay,
substantially as specified.
40. The combination with a main or are light circuit, of a group of incandescent
lamps in multiple arc, a variable resistance shunt around said group, an electro-
magnet or relay in a branch circuit, two switches or contact pieces operated by
said relay, and a double solenoid, one coil of which is energized by the movement
of one of said switches or contact pieces and the other by the other of said switches
or contact pieces, and a movable contact piece or device actuated by the movable
core of said solenoid for varying-the resistance of said shunt, substantially as
specified.
41. The combination with a main or are light circuit, of a group of incandescent
lamps in multiple arc, a variable resistance shunt around said group, an electro-
magnet or relay in a branch circuit, an electro-motive device set in operation by
said relay for varying the resistance of said shunt, and a device for reducing the
resistance of said shunt to a minimum when the current ceases, in order to guard
against injury when the current is again turned on, substantially as specified.
42. The combination with a main or are light circuit, of a group of incandescent
lamps in multiple are or parallel, a shunt around said group having a variable
resistance consisting of a number of separate resistances arranged in parallel, a
relay included in a branch circuit, and an electro-motive device set in operation by
said relay for varying the resistance of said shunt, substantially as specified.
Dated this 1st day of September 1885.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.