Improvements in Electrical Arc Lamps.
Year: 1896

page_text: Date of Application, 11th May, 1896
Complete Specification Left, 8th Mar., 1897-Accepted, 11th May. 1897
Improvements in Electrical Arc Lamps.
WILLIAM HARDING LAUDER, Photographer 33 Blessington Street, Dublin,
Ireland do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:-
My inventions relate to electrical arc lamps suitable for series and parallel
burning, and have for their object the more perfect striking of the arc and feeding
forward or downward of the carbon rod or carrier in a more gradual and perfect
manner than has hitherto been achieved, with a mechanism cheap and simple to
manufacture. They further relate to the application of a shunt solenoid of high
resistance, the core of which is so arranged in respect of my feeding mechanisin
that it both strikes the arc and feeds the carbon rod or carrier forwards or down-
wards as the carbons are consumed. No series solenoid being employed in the
control of the lamp thereby prevents the possibility of the arc varying in length
with current changes. My inventions also relate to special mechanical devices for
compound lamps, ones in which two or more pairs of carbons are arranged, one
pair only to come into operation at a time, the other pairs to come into operation
when the first pair were consumed away or should the first pair jamb and refuse
to come together as the carbons were consumed. These special mechanical devices
perform the change from one set of carbons to the other in a prompter and more
desirable manner than heretofore.
I now describe my invention and the manner in which they are to be applied.
in connection with three different lamps.
In lamp No. 1 I arrange a large escape wheel the axle of which passes loosely
through a ratchet wheel, gearing in the teeth of the ratchet wheel is a spring
pawl which is fastened on the large escape wheel, the ratchet wheel has a pinion
on it which gears into the teeth of a rack fastened on the upper carbon rod or
carrier, the ratchet wheel and pawl are arranged to allow of the upper carbon rod
or carrier being raised without revolving the large escape wheel, but should the
load of the carbon rod or carrier operate in a downward direction it cannot
descend without revolving the large escape wheel.
Passing across the large escape wheel is a lever one end of which is pivotably
attached to the care of a shunt solenoid of bigh resistance across the arc in such
a manner that the load of the core always keeps the lever pushed down when the
solenoid has no current passing through it. On this lever is pivotted or arranged
a double paletted escapement, the lever carrying the double paletted escapement
is so pivotted in respect of the large escape wheel that when the lever is pushed
down by the load of the core the palettes of the escapement gear further and
further into the teeth of the escape wheel which is turned bringing the ratchet
wheel with it and raising the carbon rod or carrier, on raising the lever the
palettes gear less & less into the escape wheel and when raised sufficiently high
the escapement is operated by the load of the carbon rod or carrier transmitted
through the ratchet wheel to the escape wheel which is allowed to escape tooth by
tooth by the alternate palettes of the escapement coming in contact with the teeth
of the escape wheel. Fastened to the double paletted escapement is a double
equipoise which slows the escapement and ensures it operating with equal freedom
no matter in what position the lamp is placed. One or the other palettes of the

page_text: escapement is insulated and forms a portion of the direct circuit through the
shunt another portion of which circuit is the large escape wheel. The current
leads direct to each carbon rod or carrier there being no series solenoid employed
in the control of the lamp the striking of the are and the feeding forward of the
carbon rod or carrier being entirely dependant on the operation of the shunt
solenoid and the load of its core. The shunt solenoid has a direct circuit through
the large escape wheel and the insulated palette of the escapement it has also an
alternative path with resistance arranged in it. When no current is passing
through the lamp the load of the shunt core keeps the lever carrying the double
paletted escapement pushed down, the palettes gearing further and further into
the escape wheel turn it more and more as the lever descends this movement is
transmitted through the ratchet wheel to the carbon rod or carrier which is raised
keeping the carbons always separated when the lamp is not in operation when the
current is switched on to the lamp there is no circuit except through the shunt
of high resistance which at once operates its core upwards gearing the palettes of
the double paletted escapement out of the teeth of the escape wheel and when
sufficiently high the escapement operates (if necessary) allowing the escape wheel
to escape tooth by tooth until the carbons touch when this occurs the shunt at
once loses power in consequence of the circuit through the carbons being of so
much lower resistance the result is the load of the shunt core is thrown on the lever
carrying the double paletted escapement which is pushed downwards the palettes
gearing further into the escape wheel turning same which operates ratchet wheel and
lifts carbon rod or carrier separating the carbons and establishing an arc and not
stopping its downward progress until the resistance of the are becomes sufficiently
high to allow of enough current getting through the shunt solenoid to enable it to
support and stop the downward movement of its core as the carbons burn away
the resistance of the are increases the shunt becomes more powerful lifting its core
and the lever carrying the double paletted escapement this upward movement.
continues as the carbons burn away until the palettes of the escapement gets
sufficiently far out of the teeth of the escape wheel to allow of its operating and let
the escape wheel pass tooth by tooth the instant that the insulated palette leaves
the escape wheel the direct circuit through the shunt is broken and the resistance
arranged in the alternative path so weakens the shunt solenoid that its core drops
at once only stopping when the insulated palette comes in contact with a tooth of
the escape wheel re-establishing the direct circuit through the shunt this dropping
of the shunt core is so rapid that never more than one tooth of the escape wheel
can pass the escapement at a time this raising and dropping of the shunt core
allowing the escapement to operate and then stopping its further operation by
dropping keeps on repeating itself automatically feeding the carbon rod or carrier
forward or downward as the carbon is consumed away and continues as long as the
lamp is left in operation. There being no series solenoid employed in the control
of the lamp it is immaterial whether the lanp gets a large or small current all that
is necessary being to keep the volts constant.
2ND LAMP.
This lamp is designed for parallel burning and is the same as the preceding with
the exceptions, that there is no ratchet wheel, a pinion on the large escape wheel
gearing direct into a rack on the carbon rod or carrier and the lamp is controlled
by a series solenoid in the direct circuit of the lamp, the core of this solenoid is
pivotably attached to the lever passing across the escape wheel which lever has
pivotted on it a double equipoise double paletted escapement, in this case the lever
carrying the escapement is so pivotted in respect of the escape wheel that the core
in raising the lever makes the palettes of the escapement gear further and further
into the tenth of the escape wheel turning it and thereby communicating a
movement to the carbon rod or carries that lifts it and separates the carbons when
the lever is in its lowest position the palettes of its escapement may be perfectly

page_text: free of the escape wheel, which allows the carbons to be always together when the
lamp is not in circuit, neither of the palettes of the escapement need be insulated.
When the lamp is put in circuit the series solen id operates its core in an upward
direction which being pivotted to the lever carrying the double paletted escape-
ment raises it also the palettes gearing further and further into the teeth of the
escape wheel as the up movement continues turns the escape wheel and lifts the
carbon rod or carrier and only stops separating the carbons when the resistance
between them is such as to allow of the bare amount of current passing through
the series which is necessary to support or keep its core in equilibrium. As the
carbons become consumed the resistance between the points increases and the
current is diminished the series solenoid gets weaker and drops its core slightly
which it continues to do as the carbons burn away the palettes of the escape nent
gear gradually out of the teeth of the escape wheel until the core of the series
solenoid is low enough to allow of the escapement operating and let the escape
wheel pass tooth by to th which brings the carbons closer together decreasing the
resistance between their points and thereby increases the current passing through
the series solenoid which at once raises its core and pivotably attached lever
gearing the palettes of the escapement into the teeth of the escape wheel stopping
its further operation until the carbon is consumed further when it drops again
allows a tooth to escape & raises in consequence of the increased current in series
solenoid consequent on the carbons coming closer together and decreasing the
resistance of the arc. The above described operations keep on repeating themselves
as long as the lamp is in circuit. Should a more delicate feed be required I wind
on the series solenoid fine wind of high resistance the winding so arranged in
respect of the series winding as to weaken the pull of the series solenoid on its
core, this fine wire forms a shunt across the arc and its path is through the large
escape wheel another portion of which path is formed by one of the palettes of the
escapement which palette is insulated. With the above described winding on the
series solenoid when the escapement would get low enough to operate and let
the escape wheel go tooth by tooth the instant the insulated palette would leave the
escape wheel the shunt circuit would be broken and the series solenoid becomes
stronger in consequence of losing the depolarising effect of the shunt winding
raises its core in a prompt and decided manner only stopping when the insulated
palette comes in contact with escape wheel re-establishing circuit through shunt.
My third lamp is a compound lamp the principles of which are applicable to the
control of two or more sets of carbons, for convenience I describe my patents as
employed with a lamp of two pairs of carbons I arrange two large escape wheels
side by side moving independent of each other, these escape wheels have pinions on
them which gear into racks on the two upper carbon rods or carriers in such a
manner that when either wheel is turned it raises or lowers the carbon rod or
carrier to which it is geared according to the direction in which the wheel is
rotated.
Passing across between these wheels is a lever pivotted independent of them on
end of which lever is pivotted to the core of a series solenoid arranged in the
circuit of the lamp the other end of the lever is pivotted to the core of a shunt
solenoid of high resistance (across the are) the cores of these solenoids operate in
opposition to each other the stronger raising its end of the lever and depressing the
end of the lever attached to the core of the weaker solenoid, on this lever connected
at either ends with the cores of two solenoid I pivot two other levers which in turn
are pivotted to each other in such a manner that they cannot move independent of
each ether one of these levers carries on its extreme end nearest the series solenoid
a double set of double paletted escapements capable of operating independent of
each other each double paletted escapement has double equipoise attached to it and
each of the escapements has one of its palettes insulated, the other lever which is
pivotted to this double paletted escapement lever has on its extreme end nearest
the shunt solenoid the means of making three contacts as it passes from side to side

page_text: always making one contact before it breaks the one previously made. The working
of the levers is as follows-When the double paletted escapement lever is so
operated as to throw one of the double paletted escapements into gear with one of
the escape wheels the lever having the means of making three contacts being
pivotted to it is so operated as to always have one and the same contact made,
when the lever carrying the double paletted escapements is so operated as to throw
the double paletted escapement out of gear with the escape wheel with which it
may be in gear, and throw the other double paletted escapement into gear with the
other escape wheel the lever carrying the means of making three contacts being
pivotted to it, has been so operated as to pass across its three contacts always
making one contact before breaking another and finally resting on the contact
furthest from the one first made. The lever pivotted to the cores of the two
solenoids has its pivoting centre so arranged in respect of the escape wheels that
when the end of the lever attached to the core of the series solenoid is raised the
double paletted escapement which may be in gear with one of the escape wheels
gears its palettes further and further into the escape wheel turning it as it raised
and operating the carbon rod or carrier in such a inanaer as to lift it, should the
series core end of the lever be lowered the palettes of the escapement gear further
& further out of the teeth of the escape wheel until finally the escape wheel may
be absolutely free of the escapement leaving the carbon rod or carrier free to
descend. Should the escapement not in gear be thrown into gear with the other
wheel and the lever operated in a manner similar to that already described
the results would be the same the carbon rod or carrier in gear with the escape
wheel being lowered when the lever was lowered raised when the lever attached to
the series core end was raised. Pivotted on some portion of the lamp independent
of the double paletted escapement lever is another lever one end of which
terminates in a fork which fork loosely embraces the double paletted escapement
lever, between the pivot on the fork ended lever and the fork connection with the
double paletted escapement lever there is a spring which when free to operate
keeps this fork lever always pulled in the one direction and through its forked end
so operates the double paletted escapement lever, that always the same set of
palettes are in gear with the same escape wheel when the spring is as above
described and the lever having the means of making three contacts at its extreme
end being pivotted to the double paletted escapement lever is so operated as always
to have the same contact made. The opposite end of the fork lever is in such a
position as to be operated by one of the upper carbon rods or carriers when it is
being raised in such a manner as to move the fork end of the lever and put its
spring in a state of extension and through the medium of the lork to operate the
double paletted escapement lever so as to throw the escapement in gear out of gear
and throw the escapement out of gear into gear with the other escape wheel, the
pivotably attached triple contact lever passing across and making its three contacts
at the same time, this is the limit of the movement the carbon rod or carrier when
being pushed up is capable of communicating to the fork ended lever, when it has
moved it so far the end of the lever operated is caught by a trigger which holds
the lever in the position that the pushing up of the carbon rod or carrier has placed
it in. Should it be a focussing feed lamp (one in which each pair of carbon rods or
carriers are connected in such a manner that when one ascends the other descends)
I arrange on the carbon rod or carrier connected with the carbon rod or carrier
which had the power of operating the fork ended lever another resistance so
arranged that when the carbon rod or carrier on which it was arranged had moved
up a certain distance it brought the resistance in contact with the trigger which
confined in position one end of the forked lever aud so operated the trigger that it
released the forked ended lever leaving its spring free to operate and through its fork
connection operating the double paletted lever in the manner previously described
should the lamp not be a focussing feed one I arrange the two resistances on the
one rod the lower one operating the forked ended lever until it is taken charge of

page_text: by the trigger the upper resistance undoing the trigger as the carbon rod or carrier
descends as the result of the carbons burning away. In connection with this trigger
there is a mechanical electrical connection to the shunt core which only connects
when the lamp is in operation and which would ensure the trigger undoing and
letting free the forked ended lever should the core of the shunt go a certain
distance up into its solenoid thus the lamp would have both a mechanical and an
electrical mechanical change over. Should the carbon rods jamb through any
accident and not undo the trigger the increased resistance between the carbon
points consequent on the carbons being consumed would make the shunt solenoid
stronger than the series solenoid raise its core and undo the trigger by being
electrically connected and operating a lever in position to undo the trigger.
The three contacts which the contact lever passing across makes and undoes as
it leaves them I have arranged as follows-The two outside contacts are in the path
of the series solenoid and lead each to one of the sets of carbons the contact lever
always resting and making contact only through the contact connected with the set
of carbons which may be in operation, the centre contact is a short circuit across
the lamp leaving out the series coil, this contact is always broken except at the
moment when the lever may happen to pass across it. The shunt is also connected
with both of the outside contacts, another portion of its path is through each of
the escape wheels and through the insulated palettes, it has alan two alternative
paths of high resistance which paths only operate while the insulated palette in
circuit breaks the direct path of the shunt by leaving the escape wheel which it
does when the lamp is feeding. The operation of a focussing feed lamp similar
to the above when in circuit would be as follows. When the lamp is being
charged with carbous the pushing up of oue of the holders to introduce a
carbon brings an arranged resistance on it into contact with one end of the
forked lever operating it in such a manner as to put its spring in a state of
extension and leaving the forked lever held in this position by a trigger, this
movement has been communicated to the double paletted lever so as to leave one
of the double paletted escapements in a position to engage with one of the escape.
wheels when the series core raises the lever to which it is attached the triple
contact lever has been so operated as to pass across its contacts resting on the
contact which is the path of the current through the carbons that the double
paletted escapement is in a position to operate. Should the current now be
switched on to the lamp the series solenoid operates its core in an upward direction
gearing the double paletted escapement further and further into the escape wheel
turning it, raising carbon rod or carrier seperating carbons and establishing an are
the series core only stopping its upward movement when it was balanced by the
opposite pull of the shunt core the solenoid of which had gained power as the
carbons were separated and the resistance between them increased, as the carbons
consume away the shunt becomes more powerful raising its end of lever and
depressing the end of lever attached to the series core, this raising of shunt end and
depressing of the series core continued as the carbons burn away until the palettes
of the escapement gear sufficiently far out of the teeth of the escape wheel to
allow the escapement to operate and the escape wheel to pass it by tooth by tooth
but the moment the insulated palette leaves the escape wheel the direct path
through the shunt is broken and the only path open to the shunt is one of the
alternative paths with the resistance arranged in it and connected with the burning
carbons the breaking of the direct circuit and the introducing of this path of high
resistance into the shunt solenoid at once weakens its pull on its core the series
solenoid in consequence at once operates its core in an upward direction gearing
the palettes of the escapement further into the teeth of the escape wheel and only
ceasing its upward pull when the insulated palette had come in contact with the
escape wheel thereby re-establishing the direct path through the shunt which
would at once produce the previous equilibrium of power between the two
solenoids. The above operation takes place so rapidly that never more than one
tooth of the escape wheel can get pass the escapement and keeps on repeating

page_text: itself as the carbons are consumed away until the arranged resistances on one of
the carbon rods or carriers which may be in operation at the time comes in contact
with the trigger which it gradually undoes, the spring attached to the forked lever
at once operates it throwing the double paletted escapement which was in gear out of
gear and throwing into gear the other escapement with the escape wheel previously
out of operation and bringing the lever across its three contacts finally resting on the
contact corresponding to the set of carbons which were in a position to be operated by
the double paletted escapement which had been thrown into gear. The centre contact
or short circuit across the lamp leaving out the series ensures the series core being
in its lowest position and prepared to operate the double paletted escapement in
such a manner as to gear into the escape wheel connected with them, turn same
and thereby separate carbons and establish an arc. The feeding of the new set of
carbons introduced into operation as they are consumed away is similar to that
already described in connection with the set of carbons which have been thrown
out of gear and out of circuit, it is not necessary that either of the double paletted
escapements should be thrown out of gear with either one escape wheel or the
other, they might be permanently pivotted on the lever connecting the series and
shunt solenoid one being arranged a little lower than the other but not necessarily
so all that would be necessary would be that when the lever was lifted they would
be in a position to gear further into the escape wheels as the lever was lifted and
turn them, on the lever being lowered they would gear further out of wheels
allowing the escapement to operate and at a lower point be quite free of the wheel.
Should the escapements be arranged as above described the three contact lever
would be arranged in some other portion of the lamp being still operated as
previously described. Should the compound lamp described above be designed
for parallel only two contacts are necessary the first and last contact or the
contacts directly connected with each sets of carbons.
1, WILLIAM HARDING LAUDER, of 33 Blessington Street, Dublin, Ireland,
Photographer, 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 relate to electrical arc lamps suitable for series and parallel
burning and have for their object the more perfect striking of the arc, and feeding
forward of the carbon rod or carrier in a more gradual, and perfect manner than
hitherto.
It further relate to the application of a shunt solenoid of high resistance, the
core of which is so arranged in respect of the feeding mechanism that it both strikes
the arc and feeds the carbon rod forward.
No series solenoid being employed the possibility of the are varying in length
with current changes is obviated.
My invention also relate to special mechanical devices for compound lamps in
which two pairs of carbons are arranged, one pair only coming into operation at a
time.
I proceed to describe my invention with the assistance of the accompanying
drawings and the manner in which it is to be applied to three different forms of
lamp.

page_text: Figs. 1, 2 and 4 illustrate lamp No. 1 which consists of a large escape wheel 1..
the axle of which passes loosely through a ratchet wheel 2, in which gears a spring
pawl 21 pivoted on the large escape wheel.
The ratchet wheel carries a pinion 3 gearing with a rack 4 which carries the
upper carbon. The ratchet wheel and pawl are so arranged as to allow the rack
to be raised without revolving the large escape wheel, but should the load of the
carbon rod operate in a downward direction it cannot descend without causing the
large escape wheel to revolve.
Across this escape wheel with its pivoting centre higher than centre of axle of
escape wheel is an oscillating lever 5 one end of which is pivotably attached to the
core 6, of a shunt solenoid 7, of high resistance across the arc, in such a manner
that the lead of the core always keeps the lever pushed down when no current is
passing. At the same end of this lever is pivoted a double paletted escapement 8
the extremities of which (when the lever is pushed down) gear into the escape-
wheel turning same and bringing ratchet wheel with it, thereby raising rack 4..
On the lever being raised, the extremities of the palette gear less and less with the
escape wheel and when raised sufficiently high the escapement is operated by the
load of the carbon carrier, transmitted through the ratchet wheel to the escape
wheel which is allowed to escape gradually.
The extremities of the escapement 8 are provided with suitable equipoise 8"
which slows the escapement and ensures it operating freely irrespective of the
position of the lamp.
One or other of the extremities of the escapement 8, is insulated and forms a
portion of the direct circuit through the shunt, another portion of which circuit is
the large escape wheel.
When no current is passing the load of the shunt core keeps the oscillating
lever pushed down and the extremities of the escapement 8 engaging the large
escape wheel rotates same, which movement is transmitted through ratchet wheel
to rack 4, which is raised, thereby retaining the carbons separated when the lamp
is not in action.
When the current is passing, the solenoid drawing up the oscillating lever,
causes the escapement 8 to disengage large escape wheel, allowing it to escape
gradually until the carbons touch, whereupon the solenoid instantly loosing its
attractive power the load falls on the oscillating lever causing escapement 8 to.
engage the escape wheel and thus raise the ratchet 4 and separate the carbon
thereby establishing an are.
As the carbons burn away the solenoid becoming more powerful lifts the
oscillating lever which upward movement continues until the escapement 8 is
sufficiently out of gear with the large escape wheel. Immediately the insulated.
palette of escapement 8 leaves the escape wheel the direct circuit through the
shunt is broken and the resistance arranged in the alternative path so weakens the-
solenoid that its core drops, stopping only when the insulated palette comes into
contact with the escape wheel thus re-establishing the direct circuit through the
shunt.
This action of the solenoid is so rapid that not more than one tooth of the large
escape wheel can pass the escapement at a time, and this action keeps on
repeating itself, automatically feeding the carbon carrier forward as the carbons
are consumed.
There being no series solenoid employed, it is immaterial whether the current be
heavy or light, it being necessary only to maintain a constant voltage.
Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate my second form of lamp which is designed for parallel
burning and is the same in principle as the lamp just described with the exceptions,
(1) that the ratchet wheel is omitted, a pinion 9, on the large escape wheel
engaging a rack 10; and (2) the lamp is controlled by a series solenoid 11 in the
direct circuit, the core of which is pivoted to an oscillating lever 5' carrying a
double equipoise double paletted escapement 12.
The oscillating lever in this case is hung in respect to the escape wheel so that

page_text: causes the double
the solenoid in acting on the core causes the palettes of escapement to engage
with the escape wheel and lift rack 10 thus separating the carbon points.
When the current is on, the solenoid drawing up its core
palletted escapement to engage the escape wheel thereby lifting the rack and
separating the carbons.
This movement ceases immediately the resistance of the arc is such as to allow
of the bare quantity of current passing through the solenoid necessary to
maintain its core in equilibrium.
As the resistance of the arc increases, the solenoid grows weaker and dropping
its core, the palettes 12 engage the escape wheel until the solenoid core is low
enough to allow of the escapement operating, and permit the escape wheel to
rotate which brings the carbon points together, thus diminishing the resistance
and increasing the current passing through the solenoid which acting on its core
the up movement is repeated.
Should a more delicate feed be required, fine wire of high resistance is wound
on the solenoid in such a manner, in relation to the series winding as to weaken
the attractive force of the series solenoid.
This fine winding forms a shunt across the are and its path is through the large
escape wheel by one or other of the palettes 12 which palette is insulated.
With this high resistance winding when the escapement drops low enough to
operate and let the escape wheel go, the instant the insulated palette leaves the
escape wheel the shunt circuit is broken and the series solenoid becoming stronger
in consequence of losing the depolorising effect of the shunt winding, raises its
core in a prompt and decided manner, stepping only when the insulated palette
comes in contact with the escape wheel, thus re-establishing circuit through the
shunt.
The Diagram 4 shews the circuits in No. one lamp, there being no series
solenoid used the leads go direct to each of the carbon rods, the shunt 7 being
across the arc with two paths direct, one through the escape wheel and insulated
palette 71, and the other having a high resistance 72 arranged in it.
Figs. 5 to 15 illustrate my third form of lamp which is a compound lamp, and
which is designed to operate two sets of carbons, the second set to be operated
only when the first set is consumed or fails to feed downwards through jambing or
otherwise.
For this purpose I arrange two large escape wheels 13 and 14 which rotate
independent of each other and are provided with pinions 15 and 16 gearing into
racks mounted on the two upper carbons 17 and 18.
These upper carbon carriers (17 and 18) are connected by flexible cords passing
over pulleys A and B with the two lower carbon carriers C and D.
Should the lamp be a focussing feed as in Fig. 5. the upper carbon carrier 18
being connected with lower carbon carrier C in such a manner that when the
former descends the latter ascends and vica-versa.
The upper carbon 17 and the lower carbon D being similarly connected, operate
identically.
Between the escape wheels is mounted a lever 19 (Fig. 9) oscillating on pivot 20.
One end of this lever is pivoted to the core of a series solenoid 21, arranged in
the circuit of the lamp, while the other end is pivoted to the core of a shunt
solenoid 22 of high resistance (across the arc). These cores act in opposition to
each other, the stronger raising one end of the lever while depressing the other
end, and vica versa.
To the undersurface of this lever I pivot two rocking levers 23 and 24 which
are connected by a link 25 (see inverted view Fig. 10). One of these rocking
leveis carries a double set of double paletted escapements 26 capable of operating
indipendent of each other and provided with double equipoise 27, and each of these
escapements has one of its palettes insulated. The other rocking lever 24 is
capable of making three contacts as it rocks horizontally as hereinafter more fully
described.

page_text: The action of these rocking levers is as follows:-
When lever 23 is so operated as to throw one of the double paletted escape-
ments into gear with one of the escape wheels, lever 24, being linked to it, is so
operated as to always have one and the same contact made when lever 23 is so
operated as to throw the double paletted escapement out of gear with the escape
wheel with which it may be in gear, and throws the other double paletted
escapement into gear with the other escape wheel.
The oscillating lever 19 is so fulcrumel as reganls the escape wheels that when
the series end is raised the double paletted escapement which may be in gear with
one of the escape wheels, gears into the escape wheel thus turning it and lifting the
carbon carrier. Should the series core end of the lever be lowered the palettes of
the escapement disengage the escape wheel until it is finally free, thus leaving the
carbon carrier free to descend.
Pivoted on a standard (Figs. 6 and 7) is a crank lever 29 one end of which
terminates in a fork 30 which loosely embraces the connecting link 25 of rocking
levers 23 and 24, the point where fork embraces 25 is a common pivoting centre
with lever 19 as shewn by horizontal dotted line Fig. 7.
A spring 31 keeps this crank lever pulled in one direction and it (the crank lever)
so operates the rocking levers 23 and 24 that the same set of palettes are always in
gear with the same escape wheel, when the spring 21 is as described.
The tail of crank lever is operated by one of the carbon carriers when it is being
raised in such a manner as to move the fork end 30 and put spring 31 in extension
and through the medium of the fork to operate the rocking lovers 23 and 24 so as
to throw the engaged escapement out of gear with one escape wheel, and the
disengaged escapement into gear with the other escape wheel, the rocking lever 24
moving across meantime and making its three contacts.
The said tail of crank lever is acted upon by a stud 32 (Fig. 7) on carbon
carrier 18 which when being pushed up lifts said tail against the spring 31, until it
is caught by a trigger 33. This action causes the fork end of crank lever to
operate the rocking levers 23 and 24 in one direction.
Should the lamp be a focussing feed one I arrange on the carbon carrier 18
another resistance 34 which when the carrier drops comes in contact with the free
end 35 of the trigger releasing the crank lever and causing its forked end to throw
the rocking levere 23 and 24 in an opposite direction.
lu connection with this trigger there is a mechanical electrical cam 36 which is
connected to a heel-piece 36 in the series solenoid 21 by the rod 37 (Figs. 5. and 6).
The connection is so arranged that when the heel piece is drawn down a certain
distance into the solenoid the cam is so operated as to undo the trigger and release
the lever 29.
The heel piece connects magnetically with the series core 21" only when the
lamp is in operation.
In the event of the first set of carbons in operation becoming jambed or refusing
to feed, the series core will move down in its solenoid with the heel piece attached,
being so operated by the opposite pull of the shunt which had become stronger
owing to the increased resistance between the carbons.
This downward movement of the series core continues until the cam is sufficiently
operated to undo the trigger and release the lever thereby changing over to the
second set of carbons to be operated.
This change over is a mechanical electrical controlled one.
The action of the three contacts at the end of rocking lever 24 is as follows:-
The two outside contacts 38 and 39 (Figs. 8. 10. 12. and 13) are in the path of
the series solenoid and each leads to one of the sets of carbons.
These contacts consist of a pair of binges 38 and 39 insulated from each other
and establishing the circuit only when they touch.
Each of these hinges is provided with a spring 39° to keep it pressed in one
direction, the amount of movement being determined by stops 39 and 39d which
also ensure the hinges not touching.
R

page_text: Should one of the hinges be pushed so as to put its spring in compression it
leaves its stop and makes contact with the other hinge thus establishing the circuit
at once through this path.
Should the movement be further continued the second hinge moves from its stop
its spring being put in a further state of compression.
The inside hinges are provided with slots as shewn to enable them to clear the
stops 39.
The centre contact 40 (Fig. 10) is a short circuit across the lamp leaving out the
series coil.
The contact is always broken except at the moment when lever 24 may happen.
to cross it as shewn in Fig. 10.
Figs. 12 and 13 are detail views of the two contacts 38 and 39 which are shewn
in position in Figs. 10 and in part elevation Fig. 8.
Fig. 14 shews diagramatically the circuits through the lamp, the hinges or
contacts in the path of the carbons being closed.
The shunt has a direct contact through each of the escapements (insulated). It
has also an alternative path of high resistance 41 (Fig. 15) which only operates
while the insulated palette 41 (Fig. 15) breaks the direct path of the shunt by
leaving the escape wheel which it does when the lamp is feeding.
The operation of a focussing feed lamp similar to the above when in circuit
would be as follows:-
When the lamp is being charged with carbons the pushing up of the holder 18
brings resistance 32 into contact with the tail of crank lever 29 operating same in
such a manner as to put spring 31 in a state of extension and placing crank lever
in arrest by trigger 33. This movement is communicated to the rocking levers 23
and 24 so as to leave one of the double paletted escapements 26 in a position to
engage with one of the escape wheels, the rocking lover 24 is so operated as to pass.
across its contacts 38, 39 and 40 resting on the contact which forms the path of the
current through the carbons which the double paletted escapement 26 is in a
position to operate.
Should the current now be switched or, the series solenoid operates its core
upwards, gearing the double paletted escapement 26 into the escape wheel, raising
carbon carrier, separating carbons, and establishing an arc, the core stopping only
its upward movement, when it is balanced by the opposite pull of the shunt core,
the solenoid of which gains power as the carbons are separated. The shunt now
becomes more powerful raising its end of the oscillating lever, which movement
continues as the carbons burn away until the palettes 26 disengage sufficiently the
escape wheel to allow the escapement to operate, and the escape wheel to pass, but
the moment the insulated palette leaves the escape wheel the direct path through
the shunt is broken and its only path is the alternative path with the resistance 41
arranged in it.
The breaking of the direct circuit and the introducing of this path of high
resistance at once weakens the pull of the shunt solenoid, the series solenoid in
consequence at once operates its core in an upward direction gearing the escape-
ment 26 into the escape wheel and only ceasing its upward pull when the insulated
palette conies in contact with the escape wheel thereby re-establishing the direct
path through the shunt which would at once produce the previous equilibrium
between the two solenoids.
The above operation takes place so rapidly that never more than one tooth of
the escape wheel can pass the escapement, and keeps on repeating itself as the
carbons are consumed until the arranged resistance on the carbon carrier which
may be in operation, comes in contact with trigger 33 which it gradually undoes
enabling spring 31 to act on crank lever 29 and shift the double paletted escape-
ment which was in gear, out of gear, and shift into gear the other escapement and
thus bring the rocking lever 24 across the three contacts 38, 39 and 40, finally
resting on the contact corresponding to the set of carbons which may be in a
position to be operated by the double paletted escapement in gear at the time.

page_text: The centre contact 40 ensures the series core being in its lowest position and`
prepared to operate the double paletted escapement in such a manner as to gear
into the escape wheel connected with them, turn same and thereby separate the
carbons.
The feeding of a new set of carbons into operation is similar to that described in
connection with the set of carbons which have been thrown out of gear and out of
circuit. It is not necessary that either of the double paletted escapements should
be thrown out of gear with either one escape wheel or the other, they might be
permanently pivoted on oscillating lever 19 one being arranged a little lower than
the other but not necessarily so.
Should the compound lamp above described be designed for parallel, only two.
contacts are necessary, the first and last. contact, or the contacts directly connected!
with each set of carbons.
Fig. 14 shews diagramatically the series circuit of lamp with hinge contact of
circuit closed, corresponding to carbons in operation.
Fig. 15 shews diagramatically the shunt circuit with path of high resistance.
arranged to come into operation when insulated palette leaves escape wheel thereby
breaking direct circuit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I
claim is :-
First In electric arc lamps a feeding and arc striking mechanism consisting of
an oscillating lever so fulcrumed in respect of a large escape wheel that when raised,
certain palettes carried on its end disengage themselves from the escape wheel and
when lowered engage themselves with said escape wheel turning same and causing.
it to raise a rack or carbon carrier with which it engages.
Second. In electric arc lamps a feeding and arc striking mechanism consisting
of an oscillating lever, carrying an escapement double paletted double equipoise
one palette being insulated and forming part of a shunt circuit, another portion of
which would be the large escape wheel so arranged that when the insulated
palette leaves same the direct shunt circuit would be broken in the manner sub--
stantially as herein described.
Third. In electric are lamps a feeding and striking mechanism arranged to be
operated by the pull of a shunt solenoid and the load of its core in the manner
substantially as herein described.
Fourth. In electric arc lamps a double equipoise double paletted escapement
neither palettes being insulated, mounted on an oscillating lever so fulcrumed in
respect of a large escape wheel that when raised the palettes engage with the large
escape wheel, turning it and communicating the movement through the medium of
a pinion to a rack or carbon carrier raising same.
Fifth. In electric arc lamps a double paletted escapement with one palette
insulated and forming a portion of the circuit of fine wire wound on a series solenoid
in such a manner as to produce a depolarising effect on the series winding, the fine
wire being a shunt across the arc, a portion of the circuit of the shunt winding being a
large escape wheel so arranged that when the insulated palette disengages from.
the escape wheel the circuit through the shunt winding would be broken in the
manner substantially as herein described.
Sixth. In electric arc lamps, two double paletted escapements, double equipoised
indipendent of each other arranged on one end of a compound lever formed by
the rocking parts 23, 24, and 25, the said compound lever being provided with
means for making three contacts through different circuits, and being mounted on
an oscillating lever pivoted between two escape wheels and so fulcrumed in respect
to same that should the end carrying the double paletted escapements be raised the
palettes of one or the other escapements will engage with one or the other escape
wheel and rotate it in the manner substantially as herein described.
Seventh. In electric arc lamps a crank lever 29 arranged and operating in

page_text: connection with horizontal rocking levers in the manner and for the purpose
substantially as herein described.
Eighth. In electrical arc lamps a cam 36 arranged and operating in the manner
substantially as herein specified.
Ninth. In electric arc lamps a set of hinged contacts 38 and 39, each pair when
touching forming a circuit through lamp, or a short circuit arranged and operating
in the manner and for the purpose herein described.
Tenth. In electric arc lamps the several mechanical devices all arranged and
operating in the manner and for the purpose substantially as herein specified and
set forth.
Dated this 9th day of February 1897.
J. K. FAHIE & SON,
9 Westland Row, Dublin, Agents for Applicant.