IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH A CIRCUIT
Year: 1880

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Peter Jensen, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of
Middlesex, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN MEANS FOR MEASURING
THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT FLOWING THROUGH A CIRCUIT."
A communication from abroad by Thomas Alva Edison, of Menlo Park, in
the State of New Jersey, United States of America.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Peter Jensen at the Office of
the Commissioners of Patents on the 27th October 1880.
"IMPROVE-
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex.
MENTS IN MEANS FOR MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT
FLOWING THROUGH A CIRCUIT." A communication from abroad by Thomas
Alva Edison, of Menlo Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States of
America.
In any system of furnishing to consumers electricity for light, power, or other
purposes, it is desirable that means be provided which shall accurately measure the
current used.
It is also desirable that this measure of current should be automatically
indicated and registered in a manner analogous to the registration of gas or water
flow.
The object of this Invention is to furnish means for attaining these results, to
which end it consists, broadly speaking, in using balanced plates in a depositing
cell so arranged in connection with other devices that the deposition of metal upon
one plate causes an overbalancing, which sets in operation registering devices and
devices reversing the circuit through the cell.
In practice devices, combinations, and circuits, somewhat as follows, are used :-
A depositing cell is used in which the plates are suspended but insulated from a
balanced arm, to which is attached a lever arm, on which is a weight adjustable
on a lever arm, so that the amount of excess of weight upon one plate over the

page_text: other required to cause a tilting of the balanced arm may be determined and
regulated.
The cell so arranged is placed in a branch circuit, that is, a circuit derived from
one member of the circuit supplying electricity to the translating devices containing
a resistance, being so arranged that a definite fraction of the current used shall
traverse the branch circuit and depositing cell.
It is evident then that as the weight of one plate is increased by the deposition
of, say, copper from the solution, it will tip the balanced arın whenever the weight
of the increase becomes sufficient to overbalance the weight alluded to as on the
lever arin.
The lever arm moving causes a movement of a registering apparatus registering
each tip, and at the same time causes a reversal of the current through the cell, the
effect of which is that the copper is absorbed or removed from the now heavier plate
and deposited upon the lighter, until it in turn becomes the heavier, causing another
tipping, another registration, and another reversal.
As the amount of current needed to cause the deposition of metal enough to cause
the tipping is known, and as it is a dofinite percentage of the entire current, the
registration may indicate the total amount of current; or as the ratio existing
between current and feet of gas for illuminating effect has been determined, the
registration may indicate the equivalency in light of feet of gas.
As stated the tipping of the balanced arm and attached lever arm causes a
movement of a registering apparatus and a reversal of the current through the
depositing cell.
It may cause this directly by having either the balanced or the lever arm con-
nected directly to a register and to a reverser, or indirectly by setting into operation
intermediate mechanism.
In the latter case the following is a convenient arrangement:-
Two magnets are used with their poles placed oppositely, between which plays an
armature lever, one end of which is attached to prime motor of the register, the
other end playing in the open part of a fork or Ỳ, whose upper ends operate a
reverser.
The play of the Y is limited by two set screws, one on either side, with a circuit
connection from each to one of the magnets, the connection from the left hand
screw being to the right hand magnet, and from the right hand screw to the left
hand magnet.
The play of the weighted lever arm before referred to is determined by two set
screws, each screw being connected with the inagnet upon its side.
From one member of the circuit containing translation devices is a circuit con-
nection to the Y while the lever arm is connected to the other member. In this
circuit is interposed a very large resistance, so that but a small percentage of the
current passes therethrough, simply enough to operate an ordinary electro magnet.
A circuit then may be formed through either magnet, in which are two breaks,
one closed by the weighted lever at the end of its movement, the other by the Y
at the end of its movement, the circuit being shifted from one magnet to the
other as the lever arm is tipped by one plate receiving its determined load by
deposition.
Around each magnet is a short circuit of large resistance, which affords a path for
the extra or induced current, avoiding spark therefrom at the contact points.
The same principle, namely, the effecting of a registration by the over weighting
of a plate by deposition may also be carried into effect by mounting upon a shaft a
series of plates which radiate therefrom. This shaft is journaled in a suitable case,
which is filled with the proper depositing solution nearly up to the shaft.
Upon the shaft are a series of commutator blocks one for each plate.
Commutator springs are so arranged as to bear simultaneously upon the blocks
of the plates remote from each other in the fluid, a branch circuit from one member
of the consumption circuit being connected to the springs.

page_text: As deposition proceeds one plate becomes so loaded as to cause a partial rotation
of the shaft, which causes the circuit to be formed through another plate, which,
becoming loaded, causes further rotation, bringing another plate into the circuit,
whereupon the first plate is again in circuit, but in such relation as to be the plate
which is reduced to afford material for deposition upon the other plate in circuit,
each plate being thus successively loaded and stripped, the movement from one
plate to the other causing by loading by deposition being registered by the rotation
of the shaft.
The Invention may be carried into effect in many other ways, but the ones here
described are sufficient to illustrate its principle.
Instead of a balanced arm from which the plates are suspended a spring balance
may be used, the plate as it becomes loaded acting on a spring to make the necessary
circuit connections at the predetermined point.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Peter Jensen in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 27th April
1881.
PETER JENSEN, of 33, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex. " JMPROVE-
MENTS IN MEANS FOR MEASURING THE AMOUNT OF ELECTRICAL CURRENT
FLOWING THROUGH A CIRCUIT." A communication from abroad by Thomas
Alva Edison, of Menlo Park, in the State of New Jersey, United States of
America.
In any system of furnishing to consumers electricity for light, power, or other
purposes, it is desirable that means be provided which shall accurately measure the
current used. It is also desirable that this measure of current should be automati-
cally indicated and registered in a manner analogous to the registration of gas or
water flow.
The object of this Invention is to provide means for attaining these results, to
which end it consists, broadly speaking, in using balanced plates in a depositing
cell, so arranged in connection with other devices that the deposition of metal upon
one plate causes an overbalancing, which sets in operation registering devices and
devices reversing the circuit through the cell. In practice devices, combinations,
and circuits somewhat as follows are used :-
A depositing cell is used in which the plates are suspended but insulated from a
balanced arm, to which is attached a lever-arm, on which is a weight adjustable
on a lever-arm, so that the amount of excess of weight upon one plate over the
other required to cause a tilting of the balanced arm may be determined and
regulated.
The cell, so arranged, is placed in a branch circuit, that is, a circuit derived
from one member of the circuit supplying electricity to the translating devices
containing a resistance so arranged that a definite fraction of the current used shall
traverse the branch circuit and depositing cell.
It is evident, then, that as the weight of one plate is increased by the deposit
of, say, copper from the solution, it will tip the balanced arm whenever the
weight of the increase becomes sufficient to overbalance the weight alluded to as
on the lever arm.
The lever-arm moving causes a movement of a registering apparatus registering
each tip, and at the same time causes a reversal of the current through the cell,
the effect of which is that the copper is absorbed or removed from the now leavior"
plate and deposited upon the lighter, until it in turn becomes the heavier, causing
another tipping, another registration, and another reversal. As the amount of
current needed to cause the deposition of metal enough to cause the tipping is
known, and as it is a definite percentage of the entire current, the registration may
indicate the total amount of current; or as the ratio existing between current and
feet of gas for illuminating effect has been determined, the registration may indicate
the equivalency in light of feet of gas.
As stated, the tipping of the balanced arm and attached lever-arm causes a
movement of the registering apparatus and a reversal of the current through the
depositing cell. It may cause this directly by having either the balanced or the
lever-arm connected directly to a register and to a reverser, or indirectly by setting
into operation intermediate mechanism. In the latter case the following is a
convenient arrangement :-
Two magnets are used with their poles placed oppositely, between which plays
an armature lever, one end of which is attached to the prime motor of the register,

page_text: the other end playing in the open part of a fork or Y, whose upper end operate a
reverser.
The play of the Y is limited by two set screws, one on either side, with a circuit
connection from each to one of the magnets, the connection from the left hand
screw being to the right hand magnet and from the right hand screw to the left
hand magnet. The play of the weighted lever arm before referred to is determined
by two set screws, each screw being connected with the magnet upon its side.
From one member of the circuit containing translation devices is a circuit
connection to the Y, while the lever arm is connected to the other member. In
this circuit is interposed a very large resistance, so that but a small percentage of
the current passes therethrough, simply enough to operate an ordinary electro-
magnet.
A circuit then may be formed through either magnet, in which are two breaks,
one closed by the weighted lever at the end of its movement, the other by the Y
at the end of its movement, the circuit being shifted from one magnet to the
other as the lever-arm is tipped by one plate receiving its determined load by
deposition.
Around each magnet is a short circuit of large resistance, which affords a path
for the extra or induced current, avoiding spark therefrom at the contact points.
The same principle, namely, the effecting of a registration by the over weighting
of a plate by deposition, may also be carried into effect by mounting upon a shaft
a series of plates which radiate therefrom. This shaft is journalled in a suitable
case, which is filled with the proper depositing solution nearly up to the shaft.
Upon the shaft are a series of commutator blocks, one for each plate. Commutator
springs are so arranged as to bear simultaneously upon the blocks of the plates
remote from cach other in the fluid, a branch circuit from one member of the
consumption circuit being connected to the springs. As deposition proceeds one
plate becomes so loaded as to cause a partial rotation of the shaft, which causes
the circuit to be formed through another plate, which, becoming loaded, causes
further rotation, bringing another plate into the circuit, whereupon the first plate
is again in circuit, but in such relation as to be the plate which is reduced to afford
material for deposition upon the other plate in circuit, each plato being thus
successively loaded and stripped, the movement from one pole to the other
causing by loading by deposition, being registered by the rotation of the shaft.
The Invention may be carried into effect in many other ways, but the ones here
described are sufficient to illustrate its principle.
Instead of a balanced arın from which the plates are suspended a spring balance
may be used, the plate as it becomes loaded acting on a spring to make the necessary
circuit connections at the pre-determined point.
In the Drawings,
Fig. 1 is a view, partly perspective, partly plan, showing the form first described,
while
Fig. 2 is the second plan or modification.
In Figure 1 A is any suitable containing cell
which is a balanced arm a attached to a shaft
supports attached to the cover.
provided with a cover B, upon
pivoted in suitable bearings or
From the ends of the arm a are suspended the plates C, C³, forming the anode
and cathode of the cell. Upon the end of b is a lever-arm d, upon which slides the
weight e¹ provided with means for securing it at any desired position. At its lower
or free end d is provided with contact points which take against the set screws 8, 9,
which limit its motion.
E, E', are two electro-magnets whose poles face cach other, acting upon armatures
upon a lever F pivoted at k playing between the two magnets, and so connected
at its lower end with a register H, as to operate it upon each vibration of the
armature lever. At its upper end F takes between the limbs of the fork D pivoted
at i, to whose upper end is attached an arm g taking between contact springs or
levers f, f, which in connection with e form a reverser. h is a small spring

page_text: having a projection at its end taking over a small projection upon D with sufficient
force to hold it against accidental displacement.
Between
1, 2, are the main conductors of a system from which lead conductors 15, 16, to
and through the place of consumption. From 15 a circuit is formed through the
depositing cell by 11.g. f. 12. C. C. 13. f. e. 14. the direction of the current in
the cell being determined by the contact of f, f', and e, in the reverser.
11 and 14 in 15 a resistance R' is placed, adjusted to cause a definite and
determined fraction of the entire current traversing 15 to pass through the cell.
A circuit for the magnets E, E', is formed as a derived or multiple arc circuit
to 15, 16, by 15, 3, D, and then in one position of D by 7. 4. E. 5. 9. d. 10. 16.or
in another position of D, by 15.3.D..E.6.7.8.2.10.16. In 10 a resistance R
is placed adjusted to the resistance of the main circuit, so that only a small amount
of current, simply enough to make E or E¹ effective, shall traverse the circuit
through them. Short circuits around E, E¹, are forined containing resistances 7, 7²,
for the purpose of absorbing the extra or induced current, lessening or avoiding
spark at the contact points. The operation is as follows:-Suppose the parts to be
in the position shown in Figure 1, and the current flowing through the cell so
that C is the anode and C' the cathode. As metal is deposited upon C¹ it gradually
overbalances C, swinging d out of the perpendicular until finally it takes against
screw 9, whereupon the circuit through E is closed, via 10. d. 9.5.4. 1. D. 3.
E¹ attracts F, causing it to operate the register H; E in moving toward E¹
strikes D, causing it to break circuit at 1 and carrying it over against ";
at the same time the arm g is carried in the reverse direction, leaving f¹ and
allowing it to contact with e, and at the same time contacting with fand causing
it to break contact with e, causing the current to pass through the cell in the
reverse direction. C' now becoines the anode, and the metal deposited thereon is
dissolved therefrom and carried to C, which finally becomes the heavier, causes
a repetition of the operations described. It is evident that the reverser and register
might be actuated directly by d, but the devices shown are more accurate and
delicate, and destructive sparks at the contacts are greatly lessened if not
entirely obviated. In Fig. 2, K is any suitable case, in which rotates a shaft
from which project radial plates n.o.p. etc., dipping into the fluid o. The plates
are insulated from each other, and each is attached to a commutator block;
m, m³, are commutator brushes or springs arranged to bear upon the blocks of the
plates remote from each other in the fluid. To m, m¹, lead conductors 19, 20,
completing a branch circuit from the house or consumption circuit. Suppose the
curront to flow in such direction that n is the anode and p is the cathode, as p
becoines loaded it sinks in the fluid causing it to rotate, which movement is
registered upon a register attached thereto. This movement has brought o in
contact with m, making it the anode, and r in contact with m³, making it the
cathode. When becomes loaded it causes a rotation, when p becomes the
anode and 8 the cathode, whereupon the metal formerly deposited thereon is
dissolved off.
In both forms each plate is alternately an anode and a cathode, receiving a
deposit only to have it stripped off, the very act of deposition setting in operation
agencies which cause the change from anode to cathode, and agencies which register
the change.
The register H may be made so as to indicate vebers or current units, or as the
relation between current and gas for light production is known, it may indicate
the number of feet of gas which would be equivalent in light production to the
amount of current registered.
While these devices are shown in a branch circuit so that only a portion of the
current passes therethrough, it is evident that they may be placed directly in
the circuit.
While the circuits controling the mechanical devices are here shown as branch or
multiple arc circuits, it is evident that they may be battery local circuts.

page_text: It is also evident that all the mechanical devices may be actuated by clock-work
which is controlled by the balanced arm or lever.
As this arrangement registers the exact number of vebers or current units
passing therethrough, the name of "vebermeter" has been applied to it.
What is claimed is,―
First. An electro-depositing cell in which each plate becomes alternately anode
and cathode, substantially as set forth.
Second. The method of measuring a current of electricity, consisting in causing
a definite portion to pass through a depositing cell containing balanced plate or
plates, the overbalancing of the plates causing a registration and a change of
the anode and cathode relation of the plates successively, substantially as set
forth.
Third. The combination of a decomposing cell, balanced polar plates therein, and
a registering apparatus controlled by the overloading of either plate, substantially
as set forth.
Fourth. The combination of a decomposing cell, balanced polar plates therein,
and a reverser reversing the direction of the current through the cell, and controlled
by the overloading of either plate, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. The combination of a decomposing cell, balanced polar plates therein, and
registering apparatus and means for reversing the direction of the current through
the cell, the register and reverser being controlled by the overloading of either
plato, substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The combination with two magnets of a common armature lever playing
between them and a contact device operated by the lever, the lever on its attraction
by either magnet causing a break in the circuit of the magnet attracting it and
closing a break in the circuit of the other magnet.
Seventh. The combination with an armature lever playing between two magnets
and operating as described, of a reverser actuated by the armature lever on its
movement in either direction, substantially as set forth.
In witness whercof, I, the said Peter Jensen, have hereunto set my hand and
scal, this Twentysixth day of April, in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eightyone.
MUANI