A Method of and Appliances for Automatically Utilising any Excess of Electricity Generated for Electric Lighting and other purposes, and for Automatically Supplying any Deficiency.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Sept., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1891-Accepted, 18th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
A Method of and Appliances for Automatically Utilising any Excess
of Electricity Generated for Electric Lighting and other purposes,
and for Automatically Supplying any Deficiency.
We, EDWARD BRAILSFORD BRIGHT, of 4, Adelaide Street, Strand, London,
Civil Engineer, & FRANCIS WILLIAM ENGELBACH, of 11, Howley Place, Maida
Hill, London, Gentleman, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows
In cases where horizontal spindles are used for voltmeters ammeters or other
instruments for measuring electricity passing through conductors we employ the
following apparatus for utilising automatically any surplus or supplying any
deficiency. A disc or wheel is attached to each spindle. Double metallic points
which project and are connected together are fixed at various parts of the circum-
ference of the disc or wheel. At a given degree or degrees of the rotation of the
spindle these double points are pressed into two small troughs containing mercury
or other conducting fluid placed side by side and insulated from each other. Each
trough forms part of a shunt or auxiliary circuit connected to an electro magnetic
coil or coils. On the spindle moving beyond its set range (when the indicator
attached to it shews a surplus) the double contact points dip into the conducting
troughs and complete the auxiliary circuit, thus bringing into play the electro-
magnet. The electro magnet has a moveable armature, pivotted and regulated by
stops and springs or other suitable adjustments. The armature on being attracted
by the electro magnet brings into connection a shunt of a given capacity between
the dynamo electric machine (or other source of electricity) employed and either
storage cells, or another main conductor where an additional supply is needed, or
an electric motor or interposes a storage cell or cells so as to utilise the excess; or
the contact points may be brought into connection with the conducting troughs by
means of a silk or other thread wound on the spindle of the voltmeter or ammeter
and passing over pulleys on each side.
In case of a deficiency the same appliances are employed to connect conducting
troughs as above which complete an auxiliary circuit bringing into action another
electro magnet with a similarly arranged armature which connects an auxiliary
dynamo electric machine or charged storage cells, to the conductor in which the
deficiency exists.
Another armature may be employed to connect another shunt or local circuit to
ring a bell or bells or other indicator, or indicators to call attention either to an
excess or deficiency of electricity in the mains or other conductors.
To increase the effect, if required, one electro magnet may be used to connect up
more powerful
a more powerful auxiliary current of electricity to actuate a
additional electro magnet, or more if required when a large excess or deficiency in
the mains or other conductors has to be provided for.
When required we employ several discs or wheels as described to bring successively
into connection more than one local circuit to actuate successive electro magnetic
coils for the aforesaid purposes as described.
When it is necessary to deal with increased electric currents we employ an
automatically revolving arm to make the necessary contacts either with a movable
rod or spring.
Instead of discs or wheels we also use balanced arms (with similar double contact
points) attached to and rotating with the spindles, and similarly dipping into
conducting troughs as before described.

page_text: When a single balanced arm with several conducting (double contact) points is
employed, we attach (or detach) it on the spindle by means of an adjustable sliding
collar, or saddle.
In cases where the spindles of the voltmeters, or ammeters are vertical we use a
balanced disc or wheel or arms moving horizontally and similarly attached to the
vertical spindle.
The form of the disc or wheel is slightly oblong, or its circumference enlarged
at given points. Detached arms are pivotted at the required points in proximity to
the disc or wheel, and these arms are provided with similar contact points and
conducting vessels. On the larger part or parts of the circumference of the disc
(or wheel) passing an arm the enlargement tilts its contact points into the mercury
or other conducting fluid and thus completes the local auxiliary circuit through the
electric magnet or electro magnets as before.
With alternating currents we also divert, by means of the apparatus already
described, the surplus electricity into an alternating current auxiliary dynamo
machine.
When necessary we insert an electric meter in the local circuit to gauge the
surplus electricity passed through, or the deficiency supplied.
We also employ the electro-magnetic coil or coils to release a detent or detents
of clockwork and by this means to turn a cam or cams making and breaking
contact with a spring or springs to divert the surplus electricity or supply any
deficiency as heretofore described and by means of suitable clockwork contacts any
surplus or deficiency of electricity can be diverted or supplied gradually according
to the indications of the voltmeter or ammeter or other measuring apparatus for
electricity.
When a current of excessive volume is employed we subdivide by passing
it through a series of minor conductors or shunts or storage cells in connection with
the main conductor or conductors and divert the subdivisions of current passing
through such minor conductors or storage cells by means of a commutator or
commutators actuated by a motor or motors.
Dated this 26th day of September 1890.
E. B. BRIGHT.
F. W. ENGELBACH.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A Method of and Appliances for Automatically Utilising any Excess
of Electricity Generated for Electric Lighting and other purposes,
and for Automatically Supplying any Deficiency.
We, EDWARD BRAILSFORD BRIGHT, of 4, Adelaide Street, Strand, in the
County of London, Civil Engineer, and FRANCIS WILLIAM ENGELBACH, of
11, Howley Place, Maida Hill, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, 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:-
In cases where horizontal spindles are used for voltmeters ammeters and other
apparatus for measuring electricity passing through conductors we employ the
following apparatus for utilising automatically any surplus or supplying any
deficiency.
Fig. 1 is a side elevation of apparatus constructed according to this invention and
Fig. 2 an end elevation and the letters of reference denote the same parts in each
figure.
с
a is a disc or wheel attached to the spindle whether of volt meter or ammeter
or other apparatus for measuring electricity cel double metallic points projecting
from the disc or wheel d d¹ two troughs insulated from one another placed side by
side containing mercury or other conducting fluid. d. is connected to one terminal

page_text: wire of an electro-magnet e, and d¹ to one pole of a shunt or auxiliary battery f.
f is connected to the other terminal wire of the electro magnet e.
g. an armature to the electro magnet e on a pivot at k. regulated in position by
the adjustable stop h. and the adjustable spring h'.
i. is an adjustable contact point electrically connected by a conductor k².
The pivot k is electrically connected to one end of a shunt of a given capacity
between the dynamo electric machine (or other source of electricity).
c¹
pass.
At a given degree or degrees of the rotation of the spindle b. the points c
into the conducting fluid in the troughs d. d' and thus complete the auxiliary
circuit by f. through the electro magnet e.
The action of our apparatus constructed as above is as follows:-
On the auxiliary circuit being completed by the points c c dipping into the
troughs d d', the armature g. on being attracted by the electro-magnet e. makes
contact with the metallic stop i. and brings into connection a shunt k k of a given
capacity between the dynamo machine (or other source of electricity) employed,.
and either storage cells, or another main conductor where an additional supply is
needed or an electric motor, so as to utilise the excess.
Or the contact points cc may be brought into connection with the conducting
troughs d d by means of a silk or other thread wound on a sheave or pulley fixed
on the spindle of the volt meter or ammeter and passing over pulleys on each side-
as shewn in Figs. 3 and 4.
Fig. 3 shews a modification of the method of connecting up the auxiliary circuit.
applicable to ammeters and volt meters, whether vertical or horizontal. is the
spindle of the volt meter or ammeter or other apparatus for measuring electricity
on which a light pulley a is fixed.
A thread is attached to or wound partly upon a and thence passes over a
pulley m. moving on a pivotted spindle. The end of the thread I carries the double.
metallic points cc suspended above the mercury or other conducting fluid contained
in the two vessels d dr.
dd' are electrically connected to an auxiliary circuit which is completed on the
movement of the spindle blowering the conducting points c c into the conducting.
fluid in the vessels d d an auxiliary battery f. or shunt current is thereupon
brought into action through a electro magnet e and armature g. automatically as
in Fig. 1.
The other connections of the armature g are similar to those shown in Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 shows another modification of apparatus constructed according to this
invention 6 is the spindle of the volt meter or ammeter or other apparatus for
measuring electricity a pulley attached to the spindle b. (as in Fig. 2) with a
thread attached to the end of the upper arm of a light stiff wire which is
pivotted at n.
To the end of this light stiff wire is attached the double contact points c c¹ one of
which say c. may be permanently in the mercury or other conducting fluid in the
vessel d. while the other point c is held above and free from that in the vessel d.
The movement of the spindle in the direction of the arrows flight brings the
point c. into electrical contact with the conducting fluid in vessel d. and thus
establishes the auxiliary circuit through the points c c' as in Figs. 1. and 2.
The vessels d d' are electrically connected to an auxiliary battery or shunt
current f. acting upon an electric magnet e. and armature g as in Figs. 1 and 2.
In case of a deficiency the movement of the spindle of the ammeter in the
opposite direction occasions similar appliances to connect conducting troughs as
above which complete another auxiliary circuit bringing into action another electro-
magnet with a similarly arranged armature which automatically and instantaneously
either connects charged storage cells or an auxiliary dynamo machine to the con-
ductor in which the deficiency exists.
In place of two electro magnets with soft iron armatures as above a steel magnet
is employed opposite each pole of one electro-magnet to act as armatures their

page_text: poles being similar. Thus the current passing in one direction will attract one
steel magnet and repel the other and vice versa.
In connection with the volt meter the foregoing appliances are employed to
increase or diminish the number of volts by instantaneously taking off or adding
to storage cells or existing resistances. Thus breakage of lamps is avoided. The
above auxiliary circuits may also have a bell or bells or other indicator inserted.
To increase the effect if required the electro-magnet e. may be used to connect
up a
more powerful auxiliary current of electricity to actuate a still more
powerful additional electro-magnet or more electro-magnets successively if required
when a large excess or deficiency in the mains or other conductors has to be
provided for.
When required we employ several discs or wheels as described to bring suc-
cessively into connection more than one local circuit to actuate successive electro
magnetic coils for the aforesaid purposes as described. When it is necessary to
deal with increased electric currents we employ an automatically revolving cam
to make the necessary contacts either with a movable rod or spring or brush.
Instead of discs or wheels we may use balanced arms (with similar double
contact points) attached to and rotating with the spindles and similarly dipping
into conducting troughs as before described.
When a single balanced arm with several conducting (double contact) points is
employed we attach (or detach) it on the spindle by means of an adjustable sliding
collar or saddle.
With alternating currents we also divert by means of the apparatus already
described, the surplus electricity into an alternating current auxiliary dynamo
machine.
When necessary we use an electric meter in the local circuit to gauge the surplus
electricity passed through or the deficiency supplied.
We also employ the electro magnetic coil or coils to release a detent or detents
of clockwork and by this means to turn a cam or cams or other suitable
appliance, making or breaking contact with a spring or springs to divert the
surplus electricity or supply any deficiency as hereafter described, and by means
of suitable clockwork contacts any surplus or deficiency of electricity can be
diverted or supplied gradually according to the indications of the volt meter or
ammeter or other measuring apparatus for electricity as shewn in Figs. 5 and 6
in which o is a clockwork train g' a detent actuated by the armature g. of the
electro magnet e.
p. is a cog wheel keyed on an axle driven by the clockwork o. carrying a
metallic cam q. or cams q. q. q. q. and said axle is electrically connected with one
of the main conductors r. one or more (I have shown four in Fig. 6) metallic
contact rods, springs or brushes resting on the cam or cams g. and moving on a
spindle s.
The contact rod or rods, or springs or brushes is or are connected electrically
with a storage cell t. or sets of storage cells t. t. t. t. as required by means of con-
ductors of a sectional area calculated to transmit the desired number of amperes.
The other pole of the storage cell or cells or t. t. 1. t. is connected to the other
(return) main z.
The cam or cams g. is or are moved by the clockwork o. (or other motor) upon
its escapement being released by the electro-magnet e. attracting the armature g.
The turning of the cam q. breaks the circuit with its rod r. and allows the rod r. to
be drawn by its spring u. to the stop . and thus breaks the connection with the
storage cell or cells t.
When more rods than one are employed each is insulated from the other so that
the sets of storage cells may be disconnected automatically in succession as
required.
In applying this apparatus to make up a deficiency of electricity in a main the
stop or stops r. is or are connected with the main x. instead of the cam or cams q.
and thus on being released by a cam the rod spring or brush r. so released makes

page_text: contact with its stop v. and connects its storage cells t. (which in this case are
already charged) with the main c. in which a deficiency is indicated and thus auto-
matically supplied.
In applying our invention to volt meters the apparatus described automatically
inserts a storage cell or cells uncharged to reduce excess of voltage or withdraws a
cell or cells to diminish resistance in case of deficiency.
In applying it to ammeters we consider it best to pass the surplus into sets of
storage cells, each set being equal in electrical resistance to that of the type of
lamp connected on the circuit and to automatically disconnect each set as more and
more lamps are turned on, also vice versa to automatically connect up sets of storage
cells as the lamps are taken off. The lamps are thus worked direct from the
dynamo machine and the loss through working them from the storage cells is
saved.
We do not limit the application of our invention to electric lighting as it may
also be applied to electro-motors and other apparatus by which electricity is used.
By this arrangement the equalisation of the steam engine power is assured thus
preventing the waste of surplus steam pressure and the loss of engine power by
continually varying speed as at present..
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what
we claim is :-
I. The method herein described for automatically storing and utilising any
excess or automatically supplying any deficiency of electricity and for automatically
regulating the electro motive force by means of apparatus attached to the spindles
of ammeters voltmeters or other electrical measurers substantially as set forth.
II. The employment of rotating contact points dipping at or towards the lower
point of their rotation into conducting fluids so as to bring into operation an auxiliary
circuit or circuits substantially as set forth.
III. The use of a pulley or pullies on the spindle of an ammeter volt meter or
other appliance for measuring electricity substantially as set forth.
IV. The use of clockwork or other suitable motors for successively cutting out
or inserting storage cells or other conductors or motors in order to automatically
utilise a surplus of electricity or to automatically supply a deficiency substantially
as and for the purpose set forth.
V. The application of apparatus as described in connection with the spindle of
a voltmeter to automatically and instantaneously regulate the electro motive force.
Dated this 11th day of March 1901
BROWNE & Co.,
60, Chancery Lane, Agents for Applicants.