Year: 1886

page_text: We, FREDERICK LAWRENCE RAWSON, of No. 11 Queen Victoria Street, in the
City of London, and JOHN HUBERT DAVIES, of 73 Talgarth Road in the County
of Middlesex, Electrical Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to improvements in electrical switches, being particularly
applicable to those used in connection with accumulators and other batteries, and
is designed to throw in or out of the main circuit, any desired number of a series
of accumulators, batteries, or other electrical generators, without stoppage of the
current, and without taking an excessively large current from the cells, batteries,
or generators by short circuiting, by which a large waste of electrical energy,
damage to the cells, and the greater proportion of the "arcing" at the switch
contacts is avoided.
'
Where an ordinary switch arm is used for varying the number of a set of cells
or other generators, by being caused to pass over a number of contact studs, either
the switch arm is not of sufficient breadth to touch two contiguous contact studs
at the same time, and the current is consequently broken as the switch passes from
stud to stud, or, if the switch be made wide enough to bridge the studs, then short
circuiting of the cell, cells, or generator connected between any two studs, is
effected for a time, during the movement of the switch, by which damage is done
to the plates of the cells (where used,) a large amount of electrical energy is wasted,
and a serious amount of "arcing" is produced at the contact studs of the switch.
To effect our improvement every alternate contact stud of our switch board is
connected to the desired points in the series of cells or generators, and intermediate
studs are provided which are connected through a suitable resistance to the next
succeeding stud (connected to the cells) in that direction in which the switch arm
is to move to bring into the circuit an increased number of cells.
The switch arm is made wide enough to bridge the space between two
contiguous contact studs, but not wide enough to join the alternate studs
connected to the cells, and the resistance is generally adjusted, so that when
connected across the cell or cells, between the studs, it allows a current to pass
equal in value to the normal current passing in the main circuit.
Our device works as follows:-
Let it be supposed that the switch arm is on a contact stud, placing a definite
number of accumulators, batteries, or other generators in the main circuit, and it is

page_text: desired to add one more cell, series of cells, or generators to the main circuit. The
two poles of this additional cell, series of cells or generator are attached, one to the
stud on which the switch arm lies, and the other to the next stud but one.
Between these two studs is an intermediate stud, connected to the farther one
from the arm by a suitable resistance coil. On moving the switch arm so that it
bridges the first stud and the intermediate stud, the current from the additional
cell, cells, or generator is short circuited through the three studs, but has to pass
through the inserted resistance, so that the current allowed to pass is only equal to
that of the normal working circuit. When the motion of the switch arm is
continued until it has entirely left the first stud, and lies wholly on the
intermediate stud, the extra cell, cells, or generator is brought into the main
circuit; but as the current passes through the resistance, no alteration is effected
in the main current until the switch is finally moved onto the third stud, by which
movement the resistance is cut out, and the additional cell, cells, or generator is
thrown into the main circuit.
When it is desired, to take the additional cell, cells or generator out of the
circuit, the reversed series of movements and action takes place.
We may combine upon the switch board any required number of such battery
accumulator or generator-circuits, with contact studs; other intermediate resis-
tance studs being introduced between each as hereinbefore described.
If the resistances in our improved switch are properly adjusted, as hereinbefore
indicated, there should be no sparking at the contact studs when additional cells
or generators are brought into the circuit; and on taking cells out of the circuit,
the sparking will only be due to the normal working current with the compara-
tively low electro motive force of the cells or generators that may be connected
between the contact studs.
The use of a switch of this nature is of great convenience on switch boards which
can be arranged, when accumulators are used, so that the lamps can be run from
the dynamo alone or from the accumulators alone, or both may be used together in
parallel, the accumulators acting either as regulators to the dynamo alone, or as
regulators and supplyers of current at the same time. A resistance switch can
also be added by which the electro motive force of the dynamo can be varied
within certain limits. A two-way switch allows the current in the dynamo, lamp
or accumulator circuit, as required, to be ascertained from one ammeter; a
voltmeter can also be placed on the board,-magnetic cut-outs being placed on
the lamp and dynamo circuit..

page_text: Improvements in Electrical Switches.
We FREDERICK LAWRENCE RAWSON, of No. 11 Queen Victoria Street, in the
City of London, and JOHN HUBERT DAVIES, of 73 Talgarth Road, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrical Engineers, 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:-
Our invention relates to improvements in electrical switches, being particularly
applicable to those used in connection with accumulators and other batteries, and
is designed to throw in or out of the main circuit, any desired number of a series
of accumulators, batteries, or other electrical generators, without stoppage of the
current, and without taking an excessively large current from the cells, batteries,
or generators by short circuiting, by which a large waste of electrical energy,
damage to the cells, and the greater proportion of the "arcing" at the switch
contacts is avoided.
Where an ordinary switch arm is used for varying the number of a set of cells
or other generators, by being caused to pass over a number of contact studs, either
the switch arm is not of sufficient breadth to touch two contiguous contact studs at
the same time, and the current is consequently broken as the switch passes from
stud to stud, or, if the switch be made wide enough to bridge the studs, then short
circuiting of the cell, cells, or generator connected between any two studs, is
effected for a time during the movement of the switch, by which damage is done
to the plates of the cells where these are used, a large amount of electrical energy
is wasted, and a serious amount of "arcing" is produced at the contact studs of
the switch.
:
To effect our improvement every alternate contact stud of our switch board is
connected to the desired points in the series of cells or generators, and intermediate
studs are provided, which are connected through a suitable resistance to the next
succeeding stud (connected to the cells) in that direction in which the switch arm
is to move to bring into the circuit an increased number of cells.
The switch arm is made wide enough to bridge the space between two con-
tiguous contact studs, but not wide enough to join the alternate studs connected to
the cells, and the resistance is generally adjusted, so that when connected across the
cell or cells, between the studs, it allows a current to pass equal in value to the
normal current passing in the main circuit.
In order that our invention may be the better understood we now proceed to
describe the same in relation to the drawings hereunto annexed, reference being
had to the letters and figures marked thereon.
Figure 1 is a diagram and
Figure 2 a plan of our improved switch as ordinarily constructed.

page_text: .
Figure 3 is a plan of a general combination of cut-outs, electrical meters, and
switches &c., with our improved switch on a single board.
Our device works as follows:-
Let it be supposed that the switch arm a, figure 1, is on a contact stud b, placing
a definite number of accumulators, batteries, or other generators d in the main
circuit' m, and it is desired to add one more cell, series of cells, or generators to the
main gircuit. The two poles of this additional cell, series of cells or generator,
shown at e, are attached, one to the stud b, on which the switch arm lies, and the
other to the next stud but one 6¹. Between these two studs is an intermediate
stud c, connected to the farther one from the arm by a suitable resistance coil r.
On moving the switch arm, so that it bridges the first stud b and the intermediate
stud c, the current from the additional cell, cells or generator e, passes through the
three studs, but also has to pass through the inserted resistance r, so that the
current allowed to pass is only equal to that of the normal working circuit. When
the motion of the switch arm is continued until it has entirely left the first stud,
and lies wholly on the intermediate stud c, as shown at a¹, the extra cell, cells or
generator is brought into the main circuit; but as the current passes through the
resistance r, no alteration is effected in the main current until the switch is finally
moved on to the third stud 61, as shown at a³; by which movement the resistance
is cut out, and the additional cell, cells or generator is thrown into the main
circuit.
When it is desired to take the additional cell, cells or generator out of the
circuit, the reversed series of movements and action takes place.
We may combine upon the switch board any required number of such battery-,
accumulator-, or generator-circuits, with contact studs, other intermediate resistance
studs being introduced between each, as hereinbefore described o³, c², c³.
If the resistances in our improved switch are properly adjusted, as herein before
indicated, there should be no sparking at the contact studs when additional cells or
generators are brought into the circuit, and on taking cells out of the circuit the
sparking will only be due to the normal working current, with the comparatively
low electro motive force of the cells or generators, that may be connected between
the contact studs; and even if the resistance is not exactly adjusted to the current,
which may be variable, the sparking at the switch contacts is considerably less
than it would be with an ordinary switch.
Figure 2 represents a plan of one form of our switch as ordinarily made, the
resistances being generally placed in the base of the switch, and joined to the con-
necting bolts g. The terminals of the switch are shown at h; and are two
pieces of insulating material, being raised above the level of the contact plates to
act as a stop. We generally construct the switch arm of a number of thin plates
of brass, pressing edgeways upon the contact studs or plates; but we do not confine
ourselves to this form, nor to the specific construction of the switch shown in the
drawings; it is possible to use a sliding or other movement of the switch arm.
The use of a switch of this nature is of great convenience on switchboards which
can be arranged, when accumulators are used, so that the lamps can be run from
the dynamo alone, or from the accumulators alone, or both may be used together in
parallel, the accumulators acting either as regulators to the dynamo alone, or as
regulators and suppliers of current at the same time. A resistance switch can also
be added by which the electro-motive force of the dynamo can be varied within
certain limits. A two-way switch allows the current in the dynamo, lamp or
accumulator circuit, as required, to be ascertained from one ammeter; a voltmeter
can also be placed on the lamp and dynamo circuit.
One form of this combination or arrangement is shown in figure 3, in which z is
our accumulator switch; y is a dynamo and ammeter switch; ac is a line switch,
by which the line can be put direct to dynamo and accumulator switch, or to
a certain accumulator cell; w is a résistance switch for varying a resistance k in
the shunt field magnet circuit; vis a voltmeter switch; u is a voltmeter safety

page_text: junction; t is a dynamo magnetic cut-out; s is a line magnetic cut-out; q is an
ammeter; p is a voltmeter; n are the terminals; m is the main circuit; & is a
dynamo; d are accumulator cells; 6 are accumulator cells regulated by the
switch z
'
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is:-
1st. The combination in an electrical switch of contact studs, passed over by a
rotating or moving switch arm, connected alternately to the desired circuits; with
intermediate contact studs, connected through a suitable resistance to the next
succeeding stud in that direction in which the switch arm is to move, to bring into
the circuit an increased number of cells.
.
2nd. The construction of such an electrical “non-arcing” switch, substantially as
described in reference to Figs. 1 and 2.
3rd. The combination of such an electrical "non-arcing" switch with switches
and instruments upon a single switchboard, for controlling and measuring electrical
currents, substantially as described in reference to Fig. 3.
Dated this 29th day of October
Foo10.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC.,
Agents for the Applicants.
FELL & WILDING,
1, Queen Victoria Street, London, EC.,
Agents for the Applicants.