Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Distributing and Regulating the Distribution of Electricity for Lighting and Motive Power and other purposes.
Year: 1893

page_text: Date of Application, 23rd Mar., 1893
Complete Specification Left, 22nd Jan., 1894-Accepted. 17th Mar., 1894
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Distributing and
Regulating the Distribution of Electricity for Lighting and
Motive Power and other purposes.
I, REGINALD WOOD of 17 Gower Street London W.C. Electrical Engineer do
hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My present invention consists in forming a way for a bare electric conductor by
a continuous length of glass or other insulating tube or other tube, stopped at each
end by a perforated india-rubber cork, supported on glass or other insulating
support, suitably imbedded in bitumen or other material, the whole so cased in iron
or other material that the bitumen, even if it melted, would be constrained to
remain in position, and by a combination of such ways and bare conductors with
service and junction boxes in forming a system of mains for the distribution of
electric energy.
In cases where it is necessary to make a joint in the ways, this is
done by means of a perforated stoneware or other disc which is imbedded in
bitumen, the bitumen being continuous with that in the casings on either side so as
to make a ductile, insulating joint, impervious to moisture, and independent of the
joint between the casings.
My invention also consists in placing in each of one or more feeders a series dynamo-
electric machine, which furnishes an electro-motive force proportional to the current
passing along the feeder or feeders, and equal to the drop of volts along the feeder
or feeders. The series machines are driven at constant speed, & this is done by
coupling the shafts of the dynamo machines alternately or otherwise with the shafts.
of almost frictionless engines, and the varying power required by the dynamo.
machines is furnished from time to time by steam being turned on to the requisite
number only of engines. When necessary a small condensing plant is used to
maintain a vacuum in the idle engines not using steam.
I also use a shunt dynamo electric machine in series with a battery to supply the
extra volts required by the battery in either direction, so that the whole battery
may be charged or discharged from or on to mains, between which is maintained a
constant potential difference. The shunt dynamo is excited by a current at a
potential difference equal to the extra volts required, and the shunt poles are
reversed when it is desired to change the direction of current in the battery.
Dated this 22nd day of March 1893.
AD
REGINALD WOOD.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Methods of and Apparatus for Distributing and
Regulating the Distribution of Electricity for Lighting and
Motive Power and other purposes.
I, REGINALD WOOD, of 17, Gower Street, London, W.C. Electrical 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-
My present invention consists in forming a way for a bare electric conductor by

page_text: a continuous length of glass or other insulating tube stopped at each end by a
perforated india-rubber cork, supported on glass or other insulating support, suitably
imbedded in bitumen or other material, the whole so cased in iron or other material,
that the bitumen, even if it melted, would be constrained to remain in position, and
by a combination of such ways and bare conductors with service and junction boxes
in forming a system of mains for the distribution of electric energy.
Fig. 1 is a plan (with cover removed).
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section and
Fig. 3 is an end view shewing a set of bare conductors A mostly enclosed in
glass tubes B which are kept apart by washers C within a box D which is filled
in with paraffin, bitumen or the like, and closed by a cover E. To the end of the
box D is fixed a junction piece F which may be straight when the line of
conductors is continued straight, or which is made to a suitable angle, as shewn,
when the conductors bend to the one hand or the other. It might also be angled in
the vertical direction when the conductors bend up or down. This junction
piece F enters as a spigot suitably packed into the faucet mouth of a junction
box G from which conductors can be led off from the main conductors for local
service.
My invention also consists in placing in each of one or more feeders a series
dynamo electric machine which furnishes an electro motive force proportional to the
current passing along the feeder or feeders and equal to the drop of volts along the
feeder or feeders. The series machines are driven at constant speed, and this is
done by coupling the shafts of the dynamo machines alternately or otherwise with
the shafts of almost frictionless engines, and the varying power required by the
dynamo machines is furnished from time to time by steam being turned on to the
requisite number only of engines. When necessary, a small condensing plant is
used to maintain a vacuum in the idle engines not using steam.
Fig. 4 is a diagrain illustrating the above distribution arrangement. D indicates
the main dynamo or set of dynamos supplying several feeders F F' to groups of
lights L. In each feeder for a distant group I introduce a series dynamo A to act
as an auxiliary.
These dynamos, though for the sake of clearness they are shewn separated from
each other in position, may all be on one shaft, or, if they are separately driven,
they may be arranged near to each other as may be readily understood.
I also use a dynamo electric machine in series with a battery to supply the extra
volts required by the battery in either direction, so that the whole battery may be
charged or discharged from or on to mains, between which is maintained a constant
potential difference. The dynamo is excited by a current at a potential difference
approximately equal to the extra volts required, and the poles are reversed when it
is desired to change the direction of current in the battery.
Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a dynamo S in series with a
secondary battery B, its exciting coils C having their current determined in the
one direction or the other by a reversing switch R. The main dynamos are indicated
at D, and M is an electro motor for driving S.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
J. The arrangement of bare underground electrical conducting mains enclosed in
glass or other insulating tubes which are imbedded in bitumen or equivalent
material in boxes connected by suitable packed joints substantially as described
with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 3.
2. In combination with each of a set of electrical feeders, a series dynamo
driven at constant speed, substantially as illustrated by Fig. 4 and for the purpose

page_text: 3. In combination with a set of electrical mains and a secondary battery, a
dynamo and its connections to the mains and the battery, substantially as described
with reference to Fig. 5.
Dated this 20th dex of January 1894.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicant.