Improved Means or Arrangements for Electric Distribution.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 24th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 24th Oct., 1891-Accepted, 28th Nov., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means or Arrangements for Electric Distribution.
I, ALFRED WILLIAM CUTLER, of 21 St. Bartholomew Road, London, N. do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My invention has reference to the arrangement and use in connection with
continuous electric current transformers or motor-generators, hereinafter called
transformers, of means for automatically connecting the transformers (or transformer)
to the desired electric circuits at the proper moment, so that transformers can be
used and controlled at a distance from a generating centre or station.
For the purpose mentioned an arrangement of apparatus according to my inven-
tion is as follows:-In the primary or motor circuit interpose a solenoid or
electro-magnet, and cause it to actuate contacts and so complete the necessary
circuits that immediately on the passage of the primary current to the motor coils
of the transformer armature the field magnet coils are placed in connection with the
circuit hereinafter called for distinction the "low tension circuit"-to which
the current from the generator coils of the transformer armature is to be applied.
The magnetic field of the transformer being thus excited by the current from, and at
the available electro-motive force of, "the low tension circuit," the motor armature
commences to rotate. At the same time by the movement of the coils of the
generator armature in the magnetic field excited in the manner described an electro-
motive force is produced in the coils of the generator armature. When the speed
of the armature or armatures of the transformer has risen sufficiently to produce
in the coils of the generator armature an electro-motive force nearly equal to the
electro-motive force on the "low tension circuit," a contact actuated by a centri-
fugal governor fixed to, or driven from, the spindle of the armature, will have been
moved by the motion of said governor to a position at which it will bring the
terminals of the generator armature into electric connection with the "low tension
circuit." The connection between the armature and the circuit being thus com-
pleted little or no current will pass from the generator armature to the low tension
circuit or vice versa, in consequence of the electro-motive force of the two circuits
being approximately the same. While the operations as above described are in
progress, the current in the primary or motor circuit will have required regulation
in consequence of the rise of the counter electro-motive force of the motor as its
speed increases and as the regulation proceeds after the connection of the generator
armature of the transformer to the low tension circuit, a current will pass from
said generator armature to the "low tension circuit" and such current will reach
its maximum value when the maximum value of the primary or motor current is
also reached.
22
When it is desired to disconnect the transformer, the primary or motor current
is gradually reduced by any convenient means, thus reducing the speed of the
transformer until the speed is below that at which the switch controlled by the
centrifugal governor makes contact, and when this takes place the governor will
have moved the switch so as to break the connection between the generator
armature and the "low tension circuit." The generator armature will, however, by
the action of a switch previously moved by the centrifugal governor switch, remain
in connection with the field magnet coils; the reduction of the current in the motor
circuit proceeds and accordingly the machine stops, and the connection between the
"low tension circuit" and the field magnets is then broken by the reverse action of
the armature of the solenoid or electro-magnet in the primary or motor circuit,
which in its reversal of motion carries with it the contacts of the switch which was

page_text: brought into action by the movement of the switch attached to and controlled by
the centrifugal governor.
My invention may be carried out in various ways-Thus in lieu of employing a
centrifugal governor the switches for connecting the generator coils of the armature
to the low tension circuit " may be actuated by means of a balanced beam or like
device controlled by a pair of solenoids or electro-magnets or similar devices for
the purpose of completing the circuit, direct, or through a relay, when the electro-
motive force produced in the coils of the generator armature is slightly greater than
that existing in the "low tension circuit or mains to which the current from the
generator armature is to be applied.
Dated this 24th day of January 1891.
>:
W. LLOYD WISE,
Per F. J. Brougham,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improved Means or Arrangements for Electric Distribution.
I, ALFRED WILLIAM CUTLER, of 21 St. Bartholomew Road, London, N., do
hereby declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to
be performed to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement :-
My invention has reference to the arrangement and use in connection with
continuous electric current transformers or motor-generators, hereinafter called
transformers, of means for automatically connecting the trannformers (or trans-
former) to the desired electric circuits at the proper moment, so that transformers
can be used and controlled at a distance from a generating centre or station.
For the purpose mentioned an arrangement of apparatus according to my inven-
tion is as follows:-
<C
In the primary or motor circuit I interpose an electro-magnetic device such as a
solenoid or electro-magnet, and cause it to actuate contacts and so complete the
necessary circuits that immediately on the passage of the primary current to the
motor coils of the transformer armature the field magnet coils are placed in con-
nection with the circuit hereinafter called for distinction the "low tension circuit "-
to which the current from the generator coils of the transformer armature is to be
applied. The magnetic field of the transformer being thus excited by the current
from, and at the available electro-motive force of, the low tension circuit," the
motor armature commences to rotate. At the same time by the movement of the coils
of the generator-armature in the magnetic field excited in the manner described, an
electro-motive force is produced in the coils of the generator-arinature.
When the
speed of the armature or armatures of the transformer has risen sufficiently to
produce in the coils of the generator-armature an electro-motive force nearly
equal to the electro-motive force on the "low tension circuit," a contact actuated
by a centrifugal governor fixed to, or driven from, the spindle of the armature, will
have been moved by the motion of said governor to a position in which it will bring
the terminals of the generator-armature into electric connection with the "low
tension circuit." The connection between the armature and the circuit being thus
completed little or no current will pass from the generator-armature to the "low
tension circuit
or vice versa, in consequence
of the electro-motive force of the two
circuits being approximately the same. While the operations as above described
are in progress, the current in the primary or motor circuit will have required
regulation in consequence of the rise of the counter electro-motive force of the
motor as its speed increases and as the regulation proceeds after the connection of
the generator-armature of the transformer to the "low tension circuit,'
will pass from said generator-armature to the "low tension circuit and such
79
a current

page_text: current will reach its maximum value when the maximum value of the primary or
motor current is also reached.
When it is desired to disconnect the transformer, the primary or motor current
is gradually reduced by any convenient means, thus reducing the speed of the
transformer until the speed is below that at which the switch controlled by the
centrifugal governor makes contact, and when this takes place the governor will
have moved the switch so as to break the connection between the generator-
armature and the "low tension circuit." The generator-armature will, however,
by the action of a switch previously moved by the armature of the solenoid or
electro-magnet in the primary or motor circuit remain disconnected from the field
magnet coils; the reduction of the current in the motor circuit proceeds to zero
and accordingly the machine stops, and on the cessation of the motor current the
connection between the "low tension circuit and the field magnets is broken by
the reverse action of the armature of the solenoid or electro-magnet in the
primary or motor circuit, which in its reversal of motion carries with it the
contacts of the switch which was brought into action by the passage of the motor
current when starting.
My invention may be carried out in various ways-Thus in lieu of employing a
centrifugal governor, the switches for connecting the generator coils of the armature
to the low tension circuit" may be actuated by means of a balanced beam or like
device controlled by a pair of solenoids or electro-magnets or similar devices for the
purpose of completing the circuit, direct, or through a relay, when the electro motive
force produced in the coils of the generator armature is slightly greater than that
existing in the "low tension circuit" or mains to which the current from the
generator-armature is to be applied.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,
Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of arrangements according to my inven-
tion for automatically connecting a transformer to the desired electric circuits at
the proper moments.
Fig. 2 is an end elevation shewing one arrangement of the shaft of the motor
generator and the two switches.
Fig. 3 is a part view at right angles to Fig. 2; and
Fig. 4 is another view of one of the switches.
The
A, (Fig. 1), is a dynamo machine providing current for the primary or motor
circuit of the continuous current transformer or motor-generator B. C is a solenoid,
whose coils are in the circuit from the dynamo A. to the transformer B, and whose
core is influenced by the current passing in said primary or motor circuit.
core is connected by a link or other convenient means to a rocking lever c, which is
provided with contact pieces at each end for the purpose of making or breaking
the necessary circuits. D, (Fig. 1), is a switch connecting the main low tension
circuit, the said switch being more particularly illustrated in Fig. 2, where the
means by which it is controlled are indicated. E is a secondary battery or other
sufficiently constant source of electricity, and F is a lamp or other external circuit
to be supplied from the transformer.
The method of operation of the parts referred to is as follows:-
Current from the dynamo machine A is applied to the motor circuit from its
terminals through the solenoid C to the motor armature of the transformer B and
the circuit thereof is completed by any well known means.
Current then passes
along the path indicated by the dotted line, and by its action the core of the
solenoid C is drawn into its coil. By the motion of said core the arm of the
switch lever c is moved lifting out the contact at the right hand side from
the mercury cups f', f, and inserting, the contact 3 at the left hand side into its
cups c¹, c²
The effect of the new arrangement of contacts is to cause a current to pass from
the battery or other source of electricity E, say from the point, along the line
indicated by the arrows 1 through the contact cup c², contact c³, contact cup
along the line indicated by the arrows 2, to the terminal 2× of the field magnet

page_text: coils of the transformer B, through the said field magnet coils to the terminal 3*,
thence by the line indicated by the arrows 3 to the opposite terminal c³ of the
battery or other course of electricity.
The field magnets of the transforiner being now excited the armature will com-
mence to rotate by reason of the current passing, as before described, from the
dynamo A, thereto. The current from the dynamo machine A is steadily raised to
the desired limit, and, as this operation proceeds, the speed of rotation of the
armature of the transformer will increase, and, at a certain pre-ascertained critical
point, when the electromotive force existing in the generator armature coils has
arrived at or near a similar pressure to that existing at the terminals c, c, of the
battery or other source of electricity E, the switch D will move over and make
contact at d, d, by means of the bridge . The circuit from the low tension
armature to the battery E and the lamp or other external circuit F, will then be
completed, and when the current from the dynamo A. has arrived at its maximum,
the low tension armature of the transformer B will be delivering current to the
battery E, or the external circuit. F, or both, to its fullest capacity, and this current
will be delivered at a pressure nearly approximating to that existing at the
terminals c,, of the battery E.
The movements of the switch D are controlled by a centrifugal governor D¹,
which is preferably attached to the armature shaft of the transformer B. The
switch D carries a weight D, and is moved by a clutch arm D³ which works in a
corresponding groove of a sleeve D on the centrifugal governor D'. It is advan-
tageous that the pins on the arm D3 shall have considerable play in the groove of
the sleeve D' so that when the switch is drawn into a position other than vertical,
it may, by means of the counterweight D³, tumble over some little distance, and so
cause the break or make of the low teusion circuit at the points d', , by the
bridge through the thick black lines, to be somewhat sudden, and thus prevent
or minimise sparking.
When it is desired to cease operations it is only necessary to gradually diminish
the current from the dynamo A, when the armature of the transformer B will slow
down until the centrifugal governor D' which controls the switch D, has arrived at,
the critical point, when the switch D will tumble back, carrying with it the contact
bridge out of the connections d', d. The low tension armature of the transformer
will thus become disconnected from the battery E and the external circuit F, but
the circuit from the battery E to the field magnets of the transformer will continue
as before, until the reduction of the current from the dynamo A permits the core of
the solenoid C to regain its original position, thus breaking the circuit at the
bridge and making an alternative circuit at the bridge and contacts 1, 2,
through the lines indicated by the arrows 2, and 2, through contact, bridge,
contact, thence through the lines indicated by the arrows 2 to one brush or
terminal of the low tension armature, thence through said armature to the opposite
brush and along the line indicated by the arrows 3, to the opposite terminal 3* of
the field magnets of the transformer B, thus closing the field magnet circuit on the
low tension armature, and preventing dangerous induction effect.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. In an arrangement for electric distribution, the combination with a transformer.
or motor generator, of an electro-magnetically operated switch having its coil or
coils in the primary or motor circuit, and serving by the passage of a predetermined
current, to bring about the excitation of the field of the said transformer or motor
generator from an independent source of electro-motive force.
2. In an arrangement for electric distribution, the combination with a continuous
current dynamo and a transformer or motor generator, of an electro-magnetically
operated switch having its coil or coils in the primary or motor circuit, and a
mechanically or electro-magnetically operated switch controlling the low. tension.

page_text: circuit, the former switch serving on the primary current being applied to put the
field coils of the motor generator in circuit with an independent source of electro-
motive force, and the second switch serving on the working conditions being
attained to place the low tension circuit in connection with the low tension
armature.
3. In an arrangement for electric distribution, the combination with a transformer
or motor generator, of a switch operated by a centrifugal governor mounted on or
driven froin the shaft of the said transformer or motor generator, substantially as
described with reference to the drawings, and for the purposes specified.
4. The combination of parts constituting the improved means for automatically
connecting a motor generator to the desired electric circuits, arranged and
operating substantially as described with reference to Fig. 1 of the drawings
annexed.
ALF. W. CUTLER.
W. Lloyd Wise,
46, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Agent for the Applicant.