IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH FOR OBTAINING AND TRANSMITTING POWER
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Henley of 47 Drayton Park Holloway in the
County of Middlesex and Sydney Gedge of 1 Old Palace Yard, Westminster,
Executors of William Thomas Henley of Plaistow in the County of Essex
deceased for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS AND IN
MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH FOR OBTAINING AND
TRANSMITTING POWER
"2
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said William Thomas Henley at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 28th July 1882.
WILLIAM THOMAS HENLEY of Plaistow in the County of Essex "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ELECTRIC LAMPS AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
FOR OBTAINING AND TRANSMITTING POWER
"
My improvements consist firstly in improved methods of constructing the
apparatus for regulating the distance between the carbons as they burn away by
the electric current. Figure 1 shews a lamp in which the lower carbon is fixed,
the upper carbon is raised to make the arc when the current is put on or lowered
by its own weight when the current is weakened by the length of the arc, this is
done by the two levers a a the other end of each lever having attached a cross piece
of soft iron bb. c c are two coils of wire surrounding two cores of soft iron forming
two bar electro magnets one on each side of the carbon when the current is put on
to the lamp the two cross pieces of soft iron are attracted to the ends of the bar
electro magnets and cause the levers to raise the carbon and produce the arc, the
ends of the levers that embrace the carbons should have pieces of leather or India
rubber or similar material fastened on the side next the carbon which will cause
the levers to grip and raise the carbon without much pressure and as the current
weakens through the arc lengthening the pressure of the lever is relaxed and
allows the carbons to slide down slightly and thus compensate for the wasting
of the carbon and should the magnet not act in time to stop the descent until the
I Price 1 071

page_text: upper carbon reaches the lower one the interval of time is so short before the arc
is formed again that it is scarcely appreciable. Figure 2 shews a similar
arrangement with the magnet and levers placed above the upper platform. Instead
of electro-magnets hollow coils forming solenoids may be employed the levers being
attached to the movable pieces of soft iron within the coils or one solenoid may be
used for each lever with a movable iron core working in end of the solenoid or two
electro magnets may be used placed in the same way with the keepers attached to
the levers but I prefer the arrangement of two bar electro-magnets with the keeper
at each end as shewn in Figures 1 and 2 as the action on the levers is more uniform.
Figures 3 and 4 shew another plan by which the levers are actuated by one electro
magnet or solenoid the one movement of the keeper or core of iron moving both
levers and causing them to raise the carbon or allow the carbon to move downwards
when the current is weak; Figure 5 shews an arrangement where one lever only is
used a roller being placed on the opposite side of the carbon. Such roller should
be attached to a spring to give a slight pressure to the carbon but not enough to
prevent the carbon descending when the lever ceases to press the other side; the
levers should in each case be curved where they press the carbon so as to embrace
a part of the circumference and the leather or other material attached should take
the same form.
Figure 6 shows another arrangement for regulating the movement of the carbon.
Two solenoids A. A are used which when the current passes by attracting the iron
cores cause the two levers b b to be raised which as the lower parts of these levers
are thicker than the part above forming a wedge as the levers are raised the thick
part of the levers. pressing against the rollers cc the levers which are curved to
embrace the carbon and also should be lined with leather india-rubber or some
flexible material are thus caused to press the carbon on each side and thus raise it
to form the arc. The flexible lining may be dispensed with in some cases if the
pieces embracing the carbons are roughed. The rollers are attached to two bell
crank levers d d adjustable by the springs ee by which the pressure of the rollers
against the levers can be graduated with the greatest nicety to allow the variation
in the strength of the current as the carbons burn away and the arc lengthens to
act on the solenoids and diminish the pressure of the levers on the carbon and allow
it to lower accordingly. Instead of the solenoid an electro magnet may be used or
one solenoid may be employed instead of two.
Figure 7 shews another arrangement for obtaining the same result of regulating
the movement of the carbon; a is a flexible ring of any material may be made of a
spiral spring of metallic wire bent round and the two ends fastened to form a ring,
or it may be leather or any other suitable material on the two opposite sides there
are means of attaching the two connections bb with the solenoid or electro magnets
which when the current passes through the coils cause the two opposite sides of the
ring to be lifted which raises the carbon; the ring a when not lifted rests on the
top of the tube c so that any variation in the attractive power of the solenoids
acts on the ring and either causes it to lift the carbon or relaxing allows it to move
downwards; the two sides of the ring at right angles to the connections b b should
be weighted to keep those points down when the other is lifted otherwise the ring
would rise altogether.
In this and the preceding improvements in some cases instead of the levers or
the ring acting direct on the carbon I prefer to use a metal tube to slide carrying
the carbon fixed into the tube at its lower end as in Figure 6 if the curved part of
the levers that embrace the tube are roughened it may be used without the flexible
lining but I prefer the latter.
Figure 8 shows another form of lamp where the top carbon slides through a tube
or is raised to form the arc by the chain which is attached to the top end of the
carbon or to a tube in which the carbon is fixed by a metallic chain as shown or
some other flexible metallic filament, this passes over the pulley a on the top of the
pillar as shown and is then fastened to the barrel b and on this being turned round

page_text: the carbon is drawn up the requisite height on the axis of the barrel b is fixed a
wheel with fine ratchets cut on the periphery which is acted on by the lever c the
latter being attracted by the electro magnet d which keeps the barrel b from turning
and lowering the carbon but on the current weakening the electro magnet ceases to
hold the lever and the carbon descends, until the current gets stronger by the
diminished arc or the carbons touching the action may be rendered slower by the
addition of a wheel and two pinions and a fly put in gear with a tooth wheel on
same axis as the barrel b.
Figure 9 shows an arrangement of lamp by which the feed of the upper carbon
may be made in the most gradual manner according to the fluctuations in the
strength of the current by which means the light will be rendered more uniform
than in many other systems, the lower carbon is fixed; the upper is fixed in the
end of the screw a which works in a nut in connection with the train of wheel
works as shown. The train of wheel work is prevented from moving by a small
spring pressing on the tooth wheel b; this spring is caused to press with more or
less force by the piece of iron fixed to the lever c this piece of iron being attracted
more or less by the bar electro inagnet d the electro magnet e at the bottom of the
stand with the keeper and lever f is for the purpose of forming the arc when the
current is put on by the magnet attracting the keeper and by the lever causing the
piece of brass forming the carbon holder of the lower carbon to be drawn down at
the same time the small magnet on the upper part acts on the piece of iron and
spring and prevents the train moving and lowering the top carbon until the current
becomes weakened by the lengthening of the arc when the top electro magnet
allows the train to move slightly and allow the screw to descend and thus keep the
are as near one uniform distance as possible for whilst the lower electro magnet
and keeper will not cease until the current is actually suspended by the circuit
being broken the top one will act on the slightest variation in the strength of the
current and thus maintain the uniform distance. Instead of the small electro
magnet at the top a solenoid may be used and the movable core attached to the
levere either the electro magnet or solenoid may be rendered as sensitive as may
be desired by a differential coil wound on the magnet or solenoid in a way that is
well known and used. To facilitate the moving the screw a up through the nut
to replace the carbon or to lower it on pulling down the button g the nut of the
screw being made in two halves held together by springs is separated and the
screw may be moved up or down without moving the clock work. The lower
carbon holder as well as the electro magnet lever and pillar are all insulated from
the lower platform and the rest of the metal work which is all in contact with the
upper carbon by these means the electrical contact with the carbons is rendered
much more perfect. In all these lamps I use a shunt with a resistance equal to the
lamp to prevent breaking the circuit when several lamps are used in the saine
circuit and one should go out through some imperfection in the carbons or in the
working this method of short circuiting the current or placing any lamps or other
electrical instrument out of the circuit is well known and long been used and is
brought into action when the current ceases to pass through the electro magnet by
the keeper or part being attracted falling back through the attraction ceasing and
making contact with an insulated pillar in connection with the shunt; as soon as
the lamp is in order again a part of the current passes through the electro magnet
or solenoid which attracting the soft iron throws the shunt out of the circuit.
Figures 10 and 11 shew another form of lamp where the distances between the
carbons is regulated by a solenoid or electro-magnet as shown the carbons are
placed upright parallel to each other with a small intervening space the lower ends
being fixed in the holders a a which are fixed by joints to the frame which allow
movement sufficient for the upper ends of the carbons to touch the carbons are
allowed to approach each other at the top ends or to separate by a solenoid or
electro magnets acting on a piece of iron attached to the lever b which at the other
end carries a wedge shape piece of metal c this by the attraction of the solenoid is

page_text: introduced between the carbon holders a a separating them to form the arc when
the current is first put on and allowing them to approach each other more or less
as the current varies by the length of the arc; instead of a wedge shape piece being
introduced between the carbon holders the latter may be separated by a piece of
metal attached to a solenoid being moved up and down between them as in
Figure 12 I am aware that carbons have been used placed upright parallel to
each other with a small interval between with one carbon with its holder hinged to
the keeper of an electro magnet so as to make contact between the carbons at the
upper end or separate them but what I claim as new is the method substantially
as shown of having the two carbon holders jointed with the arrangement of the
solenoid raising or lowering a piece between them or introducing a wedge shape
piece more or less between according to the variation of the current as a much
more sensitive arrangement is thereby obtained in either of the arrangements here
shown an adjusting screw with a spring can be made use of to regulate the work.
Figures 13 and 14 show another improvement in my Dynamo machine I place
the revolving armature within the poles of the electro magnets at each end instead
of revolving in front of same figure 13 shows an end elevation and figure 14 a
sectional front elevation of the armature wound with the coils of wire the action
of this machine is the same as that of the other dynamos in my patents N° 5137
of 1880 & N° 130 of 1882 in which the ring or armature is divided when in action
to a number of electro magnets of opposite polarity and the polarity is reversed in
each revolution as many times as there are electro magnets opposed to the armature
by this action it bears no resemblance to the Gramme or other machines of a
similar character by placing the armatures within the electro magnets instead of
at the ends I am able to run the armatures much closer to the electro magnets that
is to say the projecting pieces of iron may be run within a very small space of the
pieces forming the ends of the field magnets as the attraction is more equal all
round and I obtain more electro motive force for some operations.
Figures 15 and 16 show an arrangement for a mercurial commutator or
apparatus for reversing the currents produced in the armature of the Dynamo
machine so that they shall be sent through the field magnets or through the
internal circuit all in one direction or for transmitting the current from a dynamo
to produce motive power in another at a distance and giving reversals in the
armatures of the latter machine or for any other purpose where required in a
dynamo or magneto electric machine where the current requires reversing as the
electrical contacts are so much more perfect than they can be by the use of springs,
rollers or brushes as generally used A is the shaft of the dynamo or magneto
machine B is a metal cam with as many projections as the current requires
reversing in each revolution, C is a pillar carrying the roller a and spring b
adjustable by the screw c, d is a connecting rod jointed to the spring b and giving
movement to the levers ee by the arm f these levers dip into the mercury cups
gg as shown in side elevation in figure 15 and in plan in figure 16 the levers e e
are fixed on but insulated from the axis h supported in the standards i i each two
of the four outside mercury cups are connected across underneath as shown by the
dotted lines in figure 16. The current to be reversed is brought by connections to
the two central mercury cups.
The field magnets or any other circuit where the
current is required to move in one direction only is connected to two of the outer
mercury cups at one end so that as the shaft A and cam B revolves the two levers
are depressed alternately into the outer mercury cups, the similar ends of the two
levers dipping first into one of the outer pair of cups and then the other and it
will be seen that by these means the alternate currents sent to the two central cups
are by the alternate motions of the levers transmitted in the other circuit all in one
direction, mercury is placed in the cups to make contact with the levers the
projecting pieces from the centre of the levers that dip into the central mercury
cups never leave the mercury but of course the ends of the levers do at each
movement a short circuit may be made in the alternating current at each reversal

page_text: if desired by the cups having sufficient mercury in to allow both ends of the levers
to be immersed for an instant during the movement of the latter oil placed in the
cups on the surface of the mercury will prevent the latter becoming oxidised by
the action of the spark. The current is conveyed from the revolving part of the
Dynamo or magneto machine to the two central cups by the arrangement as next
shown and by the same arrangement conveyed to the revolving part of a machine
for producing motive power by means of an Electric current produced by a distant
machine.
Figures 17 and 18 show the apparatus for conveying the current from or to the
revolving part. A is the shaft of the machine B B two insulated discs of metal to
which is attached the two ends of the wire on the armatures, these discs run in two
troughs of mercury cc fixed on the two pillars DD these are connected with the
two inner mercury cups, on one end of the mercury troughs is fixed a piece of cloth
or other material to rub on the revolving disc to prevent the mercury being carried
over by the rapid motion; the inside of the troughs and the edges of the revolving
discs should be amalgamated to make perfect contact when using alternate currents
for the lamp circuit I propose the same kind of apparatus for conveying the
currents from the revolving armature
Figures 19 and 20 show another plan for reversing the current in a dynamo
electric or Magneto Electric Machine whether for placing the alternate currents
obtained from the revolving armature all in one direction through the field magnet
or for use in a machine for obtaining motive power from a current sent from a
machine at a distance, in the latter case the currents would be received all in one
direction and passed through the Field magnets in the same way and then reversed
through the coils of the revolving armature thus obtaining a series of attractions
and repulsions between the Field magnets and the revolving armature and thus
obtaining a motive power. On the shaft A are mounted the two double discs B B
and B¹ B' each pair is formed of one piece of metal but insulated from the shaft A
these four discs revolve in four mercury troughs fixed on the top of four metal
pillars, a is a piece of cloth or other material made to press on each disc to prevent
the mercury being carried over by the rapid motion, each of those discs has
intervals cut out and filled in with glass, ebonite or other insulating material as
shown at ccc the number depending on the number of reversals required in each
revolution the insulating pieces in each disc being half the number of reversals
produced, bb shows the material insulating the discs from the shaft, the ends of the
coils on the rotating armature are fixed to the double discs one end to each disc
say at c¹ c; the mercury is shown by the dotted line at d, the four mercury cups
are fixed on four separate metal pillars as shown at e e e e Figure 21 where 1, 2, 3, 4
shows the mercury troughs No 1 is connected by the bottom of the pillars to
No 3 and No 2 to N° 4 and the discs are so arranged with the insulated portions
that the metallic portions of the discs in N° 1 and No 4 trough shall dip in the
mercury at the same time and at the next portion of the revolution these shall be
out of the mercury and the discs in the mercury in N° 2 and 3, by which means
the current proceeding in one direction from the fixed magnet to the mercury
troughs is reversed and sent in a contrary direction through the revolving armature
represented by the star and this takes place twice as many times in each revolution
as there are metallic projections in each single disc. I can also cause the alternate
currents produced in the revolving armatures to be sent in one direction through
the field magnets. When the metallic parts of the discs are in the mercury in
N° 1 and 4 the currents proceed from the fixed magnets through the armature
represented by the star in the same direction as indicated by the arrows 1 2
but when the metallic parts of the disc dip in the mercury in N° 2 and 3
and the others are out of the mercury the current proceeding to N° 4 trough
cannot go by the disc and goes to N° 2 by the connection of the pillars and
thence by the double disc connection in the reverse order through the revolving
armature as shown by the arrows 3 4 passing to the right. This part of the

page_text: invention essentially consists in the use of commutators for conveying electric
current and reversing currents in Dynamo or magneto machines where such
commutators consist of either discs with alternate insulated portions revolving in
mercury or of apparatus whereby rods or points dip into mercury cups or troughs
and and by their alternate motions produce reversals of the current, the contact is
far superior to any commutator consisting of brushes or springs pressing on
revolving pieces of metal.
Figures 22 and 23 show in plan and elevation another modification of the lamps
shewn at Figures 5 and 6; instead of the solenoid or electro magnet placed above
the levers it is placed on one side where A is the electro magnet or solenoid, B the
lever shown in plan in figure 22 the forked ends of this lever take hold of two
pins in the ring a embracing the carbon to which is attached the two levers, an
adjusting spring c regulates the position of the levers through the lever B.
Figures 24 and 25 show in side and front elevation a modification of the lamp
shown in figures 10, 11 and 12. The carbons A A. are fixed in the carbon
holders B B these are jointed at a a the carbons are best of square form in section
so that they can be placed near together; the carbon holders have the inner
surfaces inclined towards each other at the top as shown at b b. C is either an
electro magnet or a solenoid, either will answer the purpose; D is a lever to which
a soft iron keeper of an electro magnet is used or two plungers of soft iron if a
double solenoid is used or one if a single solenoid is made use of, the end of the
lever D passes between the inclined surfaces of the carbon holders a a as shown
at c when the current is not passing the spring d depresses the lever D and the
springs e e cause the two carbons to touch each other at their upper ends the end
of the lever between the carbon holder must be of some insulating material or the
two sides must be insulated from each other to prevent making contact between
the carbon holders when the end of the lever presses against the inclined faces of
the carbon holders when the current is made to pass to the carbons through the
solenoid or electro magnet C by the insulated terminals E E the attraction of the
soft iron on the lever D causes the end of the latter to be raised between the
inclined faces of the carbon holders and separates them making the arc and as
the carbons burn away if the space between them at the top becomes too large
the current will be weakened and the end of the lever will move up and down
between the carbon holders and keep the light uniform the carbon holders may
be so made that the carbons shall be a little farther removed from each at the
bottom than at the top if desired.
Figures 26 and 27 show another arrangement of the lamp shown in Figures 24
and 25 in this case a single solenoid A is used placed under the platform with the
soft irou piece a with an arm passing up through the platform with an insulated
pin moving up and down between the inclined faces of the carbon holders; in this
lamp the inclined faces are the reverse of those shown in Figures 24 and 25 so
that the downward motion of the soft iron and the insulated pin opens the carbons.
c is a spiral spring inside the solenoid adjustable by the screw d to raise the soft
iron when no current is passing. When using the ordinary commutator for the
Dynamo machine for sending the alternate currents in one direction through the
Field magnets, I short circuit the current from the armature at each reversal by two
springs one rubbing on one end of the commutator always in contact with one of
the terminals of the armature and another spring rubbing on the other end of the
commutator, the latter having short metallic projections at each part of the
commutator where the change takes place the other part of that end of the com-
mutator having insulated pieces fixed on so that the contacts are only made and
the short circuit produced just.during the time that the spring is passing from one
metallic, segment to the other by these means the sparks are reduced. I am
aware that two carbons have been placed in a vertical position without an
insulating material between one carbon being fixed and the other jointed on to the
keeper of an electro magnet so that when no current passed the carbons touched

page_text: and the current operated them and when the current weakened they touched again,
but this produced a light of an intermittent character but what I propose to do by
the above described arrangement with the lever moving between the inclined faces
of the carbon holders is to get a continued arc by keeping the carbons some
distance assunder unless the current, absolutely ceases.
Instead of the flexible ring a Figure 7, I may use a ring the two halves of
which are jointed together as hown in Figures 28 and 29.
A is the carbon, B the metal washer or ring in two halves jointed at a a and
attached to the links connected with the solenoid at bb; when the solenoid or
electro-magnet lifts, the ring takes the form shown in Figure 28 and lifts the
carbon, and on the attraction decreasing the halves of the washer approach the
flat or horizontal position and allow the carbon to lower.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent, and
of an Order of the Lord Chancellor, filed by the said George Henley and
Sydney Gedge, Executors of William Thomas Henley, deceased, in the Great
Seal Patent Office on the 13th March 1883.
GEORGE HENLEY of 47 Drayton Park Holloway in the County of Middlesex
and SYDNEY GEDGE of 1 Old Palace Yard, Westminster, Executors of William
Thomas Henley of Plaistow in the County of Essex deceased "IMPROVEMENTS
IN ELECTRIC LAMPS AND IN MACHINERY AND APPARATUS CONNECTED THEREWITH
FOR OBTAINING AND TRANSMITTING POWER
"
These improvements consist firstly in improved methods of constructing the
apparatus for regulating the distance between the carbons, as they burn away by
the electric current. The invention will be best understood by reference to the
accompanying drawings.
The
Figure 1 shows a lamp in which the lower carbon is fixed the upper carbon is
raised to make the arc when the current is put on or lowered by its own weight
when the current is weakened by the length of the arc, this is done by the two
levers a a the other end of each lever having attached a cross piece of soft
iron b, b; c c are two coils of wire surrounding two cores of soft iron forming two
bar electro-magnets one on each side of the carbon. When the current is put on to
the lamp the two cross pieces of soft iron are attracted to the ends of the bar
electro-magnets and cause the levers to raise the carbon and produce the arc.
ends of the levers that embrace the carbons should have pieces of leather or India-
rubber, or similar material, fastened on the side next the carbon, which will cause
the levers to grip, and raise the carbon without much pressure, and as the current
weakens through the arc lengthening, the pressure of the lever is released and
allows the carbons to slide down slightly and thus compensate for the wasting of
the carbon and, should the magnet not act in time to stop the descent until the
upper carbon reaches the lower one, the interval of time is so short before the are
is formed again that it is scarcely appreciable.
Figure 2 shows a similar arrangement with the magnet and levers placed above
the upper platform. Instead of electro-magnets, hollow coils forming solenoids
may be employed, the levers being attached to the movable pieces of soft iron
within the coils, or one solenoid may be used for cach lever with a movable iron
core working in each end of the solenoid, or two electro-magnets may be used
placed in the same way with the keepers attached to the levers, but I prefer the
arrangement of two bar electro magnets with the keeper at each end as shown in
Figures 1 and 2 as the action on the levers is more uniform.
Figures 3 and 4 show another plan by which the levers are actuated by one
electro-magnet or solenoid, the one movement of the keeper or core of iron moving
both levers and causing them to raise the carbon, or the carbon is allowed to move 4
downwards, when the current is weak.
Figure 5 shows an arrangement where one lever only is used a roller being
placed on the opposite side of the carbon. Such roller should be attached to a
spring to give a slight pressure to the carbon but not enough to prevent the carbon
from descending when the lever ceases to press the other side; the levers should 4
in each case be curved where they press the carbon, so as to embrace a part of the
circumference, and the leather, or other material attached should take the same
form.
Figure 6 shows another arrangement for regulating the movement of the carbon.
Two solenoids A A are used, which, when the current passes, by attracting the iron 5

page_text: cores cause the two levers b b, to be raised, which, as the lower parts of these
levers are thicker than the part above forming a wedge as the levers are raised, the
thick part of the levers pressing against the rollers cc, the levers (which are
curved to embrace the carbon and also should be lined with leather, india rubber,
or some flexible material) are thus caused to press the carbon on each side and thus
to raise it to form the arc. The flexible lining may be dispensed with in some
cases if the pieces embracing the carbons are roughened. The rollers are attached
to two bell-crank levers d d, adjustable by the springs e, e, by which the pressure
of the rollers against the levers can be graduated with the greatest nicety to allow
the variation in the strength of the current as the carbons burn away and the arc
lengthens to act on the solenoids and diminish the pressure of the levers on the
carbon and allows it to lower accordingly Instead of the solenoid an electro-
magnet may be used or one solenoid may be employed instead of two.
Figure 7 shows another arrangement for obtaining the same result of regulating
the movement of the carbons; a, is a flexible ring of any suitable material; it
may be made of a spiral spring of metallic wire bent round and the two ends
fastened to form a ring, or it may be leather or any other suitable material; on
the two opposite sides there are means of attaching the two rigid connections b, b,
with the solenoid or electro magnets which when the current passes through the
coils cause or causes the two opposite sides of the ring to be lifted, which raises
the carbon; the ring a when not lifted rests on the top of the tube c so that any
variation in the attractive power of the solenoids acts on the ring and either causes
it to lift the carbon or releasing allows it to move downwards; the two sides of
the ring at right angles to the connections b b should be weighted to keep
those points down when the other is lifted otherwise the ring would rise
altogether.
In this and the preceding improvements, in some cases instead of the levers or
the ring acting direct on the carbon, I prefer to use a metal tube to slide carrying
the carbon fixed into the tube at its lower end as in Figure 6; if the curved part
of the levers that embraces the tube is roughened it may be used without the
flexible lining but I prefer the latter.
Figure 8 shows another form of lamp where the top carbon slides through a
tube and is raised to form the arc by the chain which is attached to the top end of
the carbon or to a tube in which the carbon is fixed by a metallic chain, as shown,
or some other flexible metallic filament, this passes over the pulley a on the top of
the pillar as shown and is then fastened to the barrel b and on this being turned
round the carbon is drawn up the requisite height; on the axis of the barrel bis
fixed a wheel with fine ratchets cut on the periphery which is acted on by the
lever c the latter being attracted by the electro magnet d which keeps the barrel b
from turning and lowering the carbon, but, on the current weakening, the electro-
magnet ceases to hold the lever and the carbon descends, until the current gets
stronger by the diminished arc or the carbons touching; the action may be rendered
slower by the addition of a wheel and two pinions and a fly put in gear with a
toothed wheel on the same axis as the barrel b
Figure 9 shows an arrangement of lamp by which the feed of the uppor
carbon may be made in the most gradual manner according to the fluctuations in
the strength of the current, by which means the light will be rendered more
uniform than in many other systems. The arc is formed by the electro magnet o
acting on the lower carbon through the lever f. The upper-carbon is fixed in the
0 end of the screw a which works in a nut in connection with the train of wheel-
work as shown. The train of wheel work is prevented from moving by a small
spring pressing on the toothed wheel b; this spring b' is caused to press with
more or less force by the piece of iron (or core c to which the spring b' is attached)
being attracted more or less by the bar clectro-magnet d; the electro-magnet e at
5 the bottom of the stand with the keeper and lever f is for the purpose of forming
the arc, when the current is put on, by the magnet attracting the keeper and by
the lever causing the piece of brass forming the carbon holder of the lower carbon

page_text: to be drawn down at the same time the small magnet on the upper part acts on the
piece of iron and spring and prevents the train moving and lowering the top
carbon, until the current becomes weakened by the lengthening of the are, when
the top electro-magnet allows the train to move slightly and allows the screw to
descend and thus keep the arc as near one uniform distance as possible for whilst
the power of the lower electro-magnet and keeper will not cease until the current
is actually suspended by the circuit being broken, the top one will act on the
slightest variation in the strength of the current and thus maintain the distance
uniform. Instead of the small electro-magnet at the top, a solenoid may be used
and the movable core attached to the spring b₁; either the electro-magnet or
solenoid may be rendered as sensitive as may be desired by a differential coil
wound on the magnet or solenoid in a way that is well known and used. To
facilitate the moving of the screw a up through the nut, to replace the carbon or to
Power it, on pulling down the button g, the nut of the screw being made in two halves
held together by springs, is separated and the screw may be moved up or down
without moving the clock-work. The lower carbon holder as well as the electro-
magnet, lever, and pillar are all insulated from the lower platform and the rest of
the metal work, which is all in contact with the upper carbon by these means the
electrical contact with the carbons is rendered much more perfect. In all these
lamps I use a shunt with a resistance equal to the lamp to prevent breaking the
circuit when several lamps are used in the same circuit and in case one should go
out through some imperfection in the carbons or in the working, this method of
short circuiting the current or placing any lamps or other electrical instrument out
of the circuit is well known and has long been used and is brought into action
when the current ceases to pass through the electro-magnet by the keeper or part
being attracted falling back through the attraction ceasing and making contact with
an insulated pillar in connection with the shunt; as soon as the lamp is in order
again a part of the current passes through the electro-magnet or solenoid which,
attracting the soft iron, throws the shunt out of the circuit.
Figures 10 and 11 show another form of lamp where the distances between the
carbons is regulated by a solenoid or electro-magnet as shown; the carbons are
placed upright parallel to each other with a small intervening space, the lower ends
being fixed in the holders a, a, which are fixed by joints to the frame which allow
movement sufficient for the upper ends of the carbons to touch. The carbons are
allowed to approach each other at the top ends or to separate by a solenoid or
electro-magnet acting on a piece of iron attached to the lever b, which, at the other
end, carries a wedge-shaped piece of insulating material c; this (by the attraction
of the solenoid) is introduced between the carbon holders a, a, separating them to
form the arc when the current is first put on and allowing them to approach each
other more or less as the current varies by the length of the arc; instead of a wedge
shaped piece being introduced between the carbon holders, the latter may be
separated by a piece of insulating material attached to the lever of a solenoid being
moved up and down between them as in Figure 12.
Figures 13 and 14 show, in partial plan and elevation, another modification of
the lamps shown at Figures 5 and 6; instead of the solenoid or electro-magnet
placed above the levers it is placed on one side, where A is the electro-magnet or
solenoid or electro-magnets or solenoids, B the lever shown in plan in Figure 13;
the forked ends of this lever take hold of two pins in the ring a, embracing the
carbon to which is attached the two levers; an adjusting spring c regulates the
position of the levers through the lever B.
Figures 15 and 16 show, in side and front elevation, a modification of the lamp
shown in Figures 10, 11 and 12. The carbons A, A, are fixed in the carbon
holders B, B, these are jointed at a, a; the carbons are best of square form in cross
section, so that they can be placed near together; the carbon-holders have the
inner surfaces inclined towards each other at the top as shown at Fig. 15. C is 5
either an electro-magnet or a solenoid; either will answer the purpose. D is a
lever, to which a soft iron keeper of an electro-magnet is used or two plungers of

page_text: soft iron if a double solenoid is used or one plunger if a single solenoid is made use
of the end of the lever D passes between the inclined surfaces of the carbon
holders a, a, as shown at c, When the current is not passing, the spring d depresses
the lever D and the springs e, e cause the two carbons to touch each other at their
upper ends. The end of the lever between the carbon holder must be of some
insulating material, or the two sides must be insulated from each other, to prevent
making contact between the carbon holders when the end of the lever presses
against the inclined faces of the carbon holders. When the current is made to pass
to the carbons through the solenoid or electro-magnet C, by the insulated
terminals E, E, the attraction of the soft iron on the lever D, causes the end of the
latter to be raised between the inclined faces of the carbon holders and separates
them, making the arc, and, as the carbons burn away, if the space between them at
the top becomes too large the current will be weakened and the end of the lever
will move up and down between the carbon holders and keep the light uniform,
The carbon holders may be so made that the carbons shall be a little further
removed from each at the bottom than at the top.
Figures 17 and 18 show another arrangement of the lamp shown in Figures 15
and 16-In this case, a single solenoid A is used placed under the platform with
the soft iron piece a with an arm passing up through the platform with a pin of
insulating material moving up and down between the inclined faces of the carbon
holders in this lamp the inclined faces are the reverse of those shown in Figures 15
and 16 so that the downward motion of the soft iron and the insulating pin opens
the carbons. e is a spiral spring inside the solenoid adjustable by the screw a to
raise the soft iron when no current is passing.
Instead of the flexible ring a, Figure 7 I may use a ring the two halves of which
are jointed together as shown in Figures 19 and 20. A is the carbon B the metal
washer or ring in two halves jointed at a, a, and attached to the links connected
with the solenoid at b, b, when the solenoid or electro-magnet lifts, the ring takes
the form shown in Figure 19 and lifts the carbon, and on the attraction decreasing
the halves of the washer approach the flat or horizontal position and allow the
carbon to lower.
Figures 21 and 22 show the improvement in my dynamo-machine I place the
revolving armature within the poles of the electro-magnets at each end instead of
revolving in front of the same. Figure 21 shows an end elevation and Figure 22 a
sectional front elevation of the armature wound with the coils of wire; the action'
of this machine is the same as that of the other dynamo's described in the Specifi-
cations of my patents N° 5137 dated 9th December 1880 and N° 130 dated
10th January 1882, in which the ring or armature is divided (when in action) into
a number of electro-magnets of opposite polarity and the polarity is reversed in
each revolution as many times as there are electro-magnets opposed to the
armature; by this action it bears no resemblance to the Gramme or other machines
of a similar character; by placing the armatures within the electro-magnets instead
of at the ends I am able to run the armatures much closer to the electro-magnets
that is to say the projecting pieces of iron may be run within a very small space
of the pieces forming the ends of the field magnets as the attraction is more equal
all round and I obtain more electro-motive force for some operations.
Figures 23 and 24 show an arrangement for a mercurial commutator or apparatus
for reversing the currents produced in the armature of the dynamo machine, so
that they shall be sent through the field-magnets or through the internal circuit all
in one direction, or for transmitting the current from a dynamo to produce motive
power in another at a distance and giving reversals in the armatures of the latter
machine, or for any other purpose where required in a dynamo or magneto electric
machine where the current requires reversing as the electrical contacts are so much
more perfect than they can be by the use of springs rollers or brushes as generally
used. A is the shaft of the dynamo or magneto inachine, B is a metal cam with as
many projections as the current requires reversing in each revolution, C is a pillar
carrying the roller a and spring b adjustable by the screw c, d is a connecting

page_text: rod jointed to the spring b, and giving movement to the levers e, e, by the arm f;
these levers dip into the mercury cups g, g, as shown in side elevation in Figure 23
and in plan in Figure 24. The levers e, e, are fixed on but insulated from the
axis h supported in the standards i, i, each two of the four outside mercury cups
are connected across underneath as shown by the dotted lines in Figure 24. The
current to be reversed is brought by connections to the two central mercury cups.
The circuit of the field magnets, or any other circuit where the current is required
to move in one direction only, is connected to two of the outer mercury cups at one
end, so that as the shaft A and cam B revolve the two levers are depressed alter-
nately into the outer mercury cups, the similar ends of the two levers dipping first
into one of the outer pair of cups and then into the other and it will be seen that
by these means the alternate currents sent to the two central cups are by the
alternate motions of the levers transmitted in the other circuit all in one direction.
Mercury is placed in the cups to make contact with the levers; the projecting
pieces from the centre of the levers that dip into the central mercury cups never
leave the mercury, but of course the ends of the levers do at each movement.
short circuit may be made in the alternating current at each reversal if desired by
the cups having sufficient mercury in them to allow both ends of the levers to be
immersed for an instant during the movement of the latter. Oil placed in the cups
on the surface of the mercury will prevent the latter becoming oxidized by the
action of the spark. The current is conveyed from the revolving part of the
dynamo or magneto-machine to the two central cups by the arrangement as next
shown and by the same arrangement conveyed to the revolving part of a machine
for producing motive power by means of an electric current produced by a distant
machine.
A
Figures 25 and 26 show the apparatus for conveying the current from or to the
revolving part. A is the shaft of the machine, B, B two insulated dises of metal to
which are attached the two ends of the wires on the armatures, these discs run in
two troughs of mercury c, c, fixed on the two pillars D D, these are connected with
the two inner mercury cups; on one end of the mercury troughs is fixed a piece of
cloth or other material to rub on the revolving disc to prevent the mercury being
carried over by the rapid motion; the inside of the troughs and the edges of the
revolving discs should be amalgamated to make perfect contact.
When using
alternate currents for the lamp circuit I propose the same kind of apparatus for
conveying the currents from the revolving armatures.
Figures 27 and 28 show another plan for reversing the current in a dynamo-
electric or magneto-electric machine, whether for placing the alternate currents
obtained from the revolving armature all in one direction through the field magnet
or for use in a machine for obtaining motive power from a current sent from a
machine at a distance; in the latter case the currents would be received all in one
direction and passed through the field magnets in the same way and then reversed
through the coils of the revolving armature, thus obtaining a series of attractions
and repulsions between the field magnets and the revolving armature and thus
obtaining a motive power. On the shaft A are mounted the two double discs BB
and B B, each pair is formed of one piece of metal but insulated from the shaft A
these four discs revolve in four mercury troughs fixed on the top of four metal
pillars, a is a piece of cloth or other suitable material made to press on each disc
to prevent the mercury being carried over by the rapid motion. Each of those
discs has intervals cut out and filled in with glass ebonite or other insulating
material as shown at c, c, c, the number depending on the number of reversals
required in each revolution the insulating picees in each disc being half the number
of reversals produced. b shows the material insulating the discs from the shaft.
The ends of the coils on the rotating armature are fixed to the double discs one
end to each disc say at c', c', the mercury is shown by the dotted line at d the
four mercury cups are fixed on four separate metal pillars as shown at e, e, e, e,
Figure 29, where 1, 2, 3, 4 show the mercury troughs No 1 is connected by the
bottom of the pillars to N° 3 aud N° 2 to N° 4 and the discs are so arranged with

page_text: the insulated portions that the metallic portions of the discs in N° 1 and N° 4
trough shall dip in the mercury at the same time and at the next portion of the
revolution. these shall be out of the mercury and the discs in the mercury in N° 2
and 3; by which means the current proceeding in one direction from the fixed
magnet to the mercury troughs is reversed and sent in a contrary direction through
the revolving armature represented by the star. This takes place twice as many
times in each revolution as there are metallic projections in each single disc. I can
also cause the alternate currents produced in the revolving armatures to be sent in
one direction through the field magnets. When the metallic parts of the discs are in
the mercury in N° I and N° 4 the currents proced from the fixed magnets through
the armature represented by the star in the same direction as indicated by the
arrows 1, 2, but when the metallic parts of the disc dip in the mercury in N° 2
and 3 and the others are out of the mercury, the current proceeding to N° 4 trough
cannot go by the disc and goes to N° 2 by the connection of the pillars and thence
by the double disc connection in the reverse order through the revolving armature
as shown by the arrows 3, 4 passing to the right. When using the ordinary
commutator for the dynamo-machine for sending the alternate currents in one
direction through the field-magnets, I short circuit the current from the armature.
at each reversal by two springs one rubbing at one end of the commutator always
in contact with one of the terminals of the armature and another spring rubbing on
the other end of the commutator, the latter having short metallic projections at
each part of the commutator where the change takes place, the other part of that
end of the commutator having insulated pieces fixed on so that the contacts are
only made and the short circuit produced just during the time that the spring is
passing from one metallic segment to the other-by these means the sparks are
reduced
Having now described the nature of the said Invention and in what manner the
same is to be performed, I declare that I am aware that carbons have been used,
placed parallel to each other, with small interval between, with one carbon with
its holder hinged to the keeper of an electro-magnet, so as to make contact between
the carbons at the upper end or separate them.
I am also aware that two carbons have been placed in a vertical position without
an insulating material between, one carbon being fixed and the other jointed on to
the keeper of an electro-magnet so that when no current passed, the carbons
touched and the current operated them and when the current weakened, they
touched again but this produced a light of an intermittent character.
But what I do claim as my invention is as follows :-
First The various clamping and arc forming devices, acting upon the upper
carbon during the passage of the electric current, as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
and 7; also the modification of a ring in two halves, as shown in Figures 19 and 20,
for the purposes set forth.
Second The method of moving the upper carbon shown in Figure 8 namely, by
a chain combined with a ratchet wheel (and pawl) which is only allowed to revolve
when the electric current is weak
Third: The method of actuating the upper carbon, combined with the method of
separating the carbon points upon the passage of the electric current through an
electro-magnet e, connected with the lower carbon, the upper carbon being mounted
on a screw a which is in connection with a train of wheels and an electro-magnet d
so that when the current is of the right strength, the train is stopped and the screw
is motionless, as shown in Figure 9.
Fourth: The arrangements to work the carbons by electro-magnets in the electric-
circuit, when the carbons are side by side, as shown in Figures 10, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17
and 18 in which a separating piece of non-conducting material is advanced between
the carbon holders in proportion to the strength of the current.
Fifth-The plan of clipping the upper carbon shown in Figures 13 and 14, in
which the actuating electro-magnet or solenoid A is placed at the side and acts upon
the inclined bars of the clamps through a spring lever B.

page_text: Sixth-In the dynamo machine, as shown in Figures 21 and 22, placing the
revolving armature within the poles of the field magnets, the pole pieces enabling
the ends of the magnets to approach each other to the minimum distance.
Seventh-The mercurial commutator, as shown in Figures 23 and 24, in which
six mercury cups are employed; the four outer ones g, g,g. g, to reverse the current
which is brought to the two central.cups for that purpose there being in connection
with the mercurial cups the levers e, e, connecting rod d spring b roller a and cam B
for the purpose set forth.
Eighth The method of short circuiting the alternate current at each reversal, in
the commutator as shown in Figures 23 and 24 by employing sufficient mercury in
the mercury cups for the purposes set forth.
Ninth The commutator for the revolving axle, as shown in Figures 25 and 26,
with its insulated discs mercury troughs respectively on the tops of pillars, and
cloth rubber, for the purposes set forth.
Tenth The reversing arrangement, as shown in Figures 27 and 28 with its
insulated double discs, mercury troughs, pillars and cloth rubber, for the purposes
set forth, by means of the method of connecting the mercury troughs shown in
Figure 29.
In witness whereof I the said George Henley for myself and on behalf of the
said Sydney Gedge have hereunto set my hand and seal this Ninth day of
March in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty
Signed Sealed & Delivered
by the above named George
Henley in the presence of
SYDNEY MORSE
5 Lime Street Square E.C.
Sol.
GEO HENLEY (L.S.)