Improvements in the Insulation of Electrical Conductors.
Year: 1897

page_text: PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in the Insulation of Electrical Conductors.
I, FREDERICK BATHURST of No. 14 Greencroft Gardens, South Hampstead in the
County of Middlesex, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
My invention relates to certain improvements in the insulation of electrical
conductors, and has for its object the simplification of the process of said insula-
tion, with less cost than heretofore, still maintaining the maximum degree of
insulation.
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46
"
In carrying out my invention employ a material that has not hitherto been
used for the purpose nor in the manner herein described, viz., raw cotton, or as it
cleaned"
is generally termed "sliver." The perfectly raw cotton having been
mixed" "opened" and
scutched in the usual manner is then ready for the
sliver" which may be plainly
carding" process, which produces a thin film, or
described as a round soft strand of cotton in which the individual fibres are in an
approximately parallel position relatively to each other. One of the "slivers'
drawn down thus
thus produced may, in order to obtain greater strength, bo
forming a new sliver" which may subsequently be worked as single yarn, and
coiled into cans or other containing vessels, or wound upon suitable bobbins. A
slight twist, known as "slubbing' may be given to the "sliver" if greater
in the ordinary manner
strength be desired, or said "sliver" may be "doubled
"
"
6
"
to effect the same purpose. So far, the ordinary process or processes for treating
raw cotton preparatory to that of spinning is or are carried out to produce the
"sliver" which, according to my invention is used in the manner hereinafter
described.
The electrical conductor to be covered is caused to be fed, or passed through a
horizontal rotating plate or the like, which carries the cans, containing vessels,
bobbin or bobbins, holding the "sliver." The ordinary braiding or taping process
is carried out immediately the "silver" aforesaid is spun upon or twisted round
the conductor by the action of the rotating plate. In this manner the strength of
the braiding or taping protects the "sliver" from being displaced when spun or
twisted upon the conductor as herein before described. The conductor thus doubly.
coated or covered is wound upon a drum, or otherwise coiled or massed in bulk,
and then is bodily immersed in a hydrocarbon mixture or composition maintained
in a liquid state by heat or the like. Or the conductor after the braiding or
taping process may be caused to pass through a die, or succession of dies in con-
nection with a trough or troughs, or similar receptacles containing hydrocarbon or
other insulating compounds in a fluid or viscous state. The effect of thus indurating
or impregnating the coatings upon the conductor is to render the "sliver" a tough
and nearly indestructible covering, by causing the fibres to "mat" or felt
together, thus forming a mechanical and electrical protection.
The essential feature of my invention is the employment of "sliver" as an
insulating and protective covering for electrical conductors, in combination with
taping, braiding and impregnating processes, and I do not confine myself to the

page_text: employment of any special machinery or apparatus, so that said processes are
effectively carried out for the purposes stated.
Dated this 6th dor of Wah………………………… 1007
FREDK. WALKER.
73 St. Stephen's Road Upton Park London. E.
Agent for the Applicant.
Improvements in the Insulation of Electrical Conductors.
I, FREDERICK BATHURST late of No. 14 Greencroft Gardens, South Hampstead
in the County of Middlesex, now of No. 4 Limes Villas, West Hill Road, S.W.
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 invention relates to certain improvements in the insulation of electrical
conductors, and has for its object the simplification of the process of said insula-
tion, with less cost than heretofore, still maintaining the maximum degree of
insulation.
As any part of the process involved in carrying my invention into effect may be
performed by machinery of known types and with varied details, it is not
necessary to illustrate any such part thereof by drawings.
In carrying my invention into effect I employ a material that has not hitherto
been used for the purpose nor in the manner herein described, viz; raw cotton, or,
as it is generally termed sliver." The perfectly raw cotton having been
"cleaned mixed," "opened" and " scutched," is then ready for the carding
machine, or carding process, which produces a thin film or "sliver," which may
be plainly described as a round, soft strand of cotton in which the individual
fibres are approximately parallel in position relatively to each other. One of the
'slivers" thus produced may in order to produce greater strength, be "drawn
down" thus forming a new sliver, which may subsequently be worked as single
yarn, and coiled into cans or other containing vessels, or wound upon suitable
bobbins. A slight twist, known as stubbing" may be given to the sliver if
greater strength be desired, or said sliver may be doubled in the ordinary manner
to effect the same purpose. So far the ordinary process or processes for treating
raw cotton preparatory to that of spinning, is or are carried out to produce the
sliver, which according to my invention is used in the manner hereinafter
described.
The electrical conductor to be covered is caused to be fed, or is passed through a
horizontal rotating plate or the like, which carries the cans, containing vessels,
bobbin or bobbins holding the sliver. Said plate is placed below the plate of an
ordinary braiding or taping machine, so that the braiding or taping process is
carried out immediately the sliver aforesaid is spun upon or twisted round the
conductor by the action of the rotating plate. In this manner the strength of the
braiding or taping protects the enclosed envelope or coating of sliver and prevents
it from being displaced. The conductor, thus enclosed by a double coating or
covering is wound upon a drum, or otherwise coiled or massed in bulk, and then
is bodily immersed in a hydrocarbon mixture or composition maintained in a
liquid state by heat or the like. Or as an alternative, the conductor may, after the
braiding or taping process, be caused to pass through a die, or a succession of
dies, in connection with a trough or troughs, or similar receptacles containing
hydrocarbon, or other insulating compound in a fluid or viscous state. The effect
of thus indurating or impregnating the coatings upon the conductor is to render

page_text: the "sliver" a tough and nearly indestructible covering by causing the fibres to
mat or felt together, thus forming a mechanical and electrical protection.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I claim is:-
First. In the insulation of an electrical conductor the use of "sliver" or raw
cotton as a primary covering substantially as herein described.
Second. In the insulation of an electrical conductor the method of coating
primarily with sliver, in combination with a taping or braiding process forming a
second coat or envelope, and subsequently impregnating or indurating the whole
by immersion in a hydrocarbon or other insulating compound in a liquid or
viscous state substantially as herein described.
D
A11
NT
1907
FREDK. WALKER
73 St. Stephen's Road Upton Park London. E.
Agent for the Applicant