Improvements in Electric Meters and Indicators.
Year: 1889

page_text: Date of Application, 21st Dec., 1889
Complete Specification Left. 19th Sept.. 1890-Accepted. 22nd Nov.. 1890
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Meters and Indicators.
We JACOB EINSTEIN and SEBASTIAN KORNPROBST, both of Munich, Bavaria,
Manufacturers do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as follows:—
This invention relates to electric meters and récorders which, when interposed at
any point in the circuit, will indicate at any moment the current flowing through
the circuit (Ampères, Volts, Watts) and register by means of a counting device the
current used during a certain space of time.
For this purpose a revolving body communicates motion through the intervention
of an intermediate piece, to a registering device the ratio of the effective diameter
of the revolving body to that of the intermediate piece being varied according to
the strength of the electric current, the speed of rotation being correspondingly
varied either directly through the current to be measured by means of a solenoid or
indirectly through a branch current in which are interposed two oppositely acting
electro-magnets.
The invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings,
forming part of this Specification wherein
Figure 1 shews a construction of the apparatus in which the intermediate piece
is shifted directly by a solenoid.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate means of compensation for the apparatus shewn in
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a diagram of an apparatus in which the intermediate piece is shifted
indirectly through an electro-motor (relny) which is actuated when the electric
current strength (tension and energy) is altered.
Figure 4 shews a modification of part of Figure 4.
Figures 5 and 6 are modified constructions of the apparatus shewn in
Figure 4.
The apparatus consists of a revolving body R in the form of a cone, put in uniform
rotation about its axis A by any suitable mechanical or electrical motor, such as an
electric pendulum. A shaft a is arranged parallel to the sides of the revolving
body, the said shaft being movable longitudinally in bearings 12 and carrying a
friction disc V. This disc is rotated by frictional contact with the revolving body
at a relative speed inversely proportionate to the ratio of the diameter of the disc to
the part of the body with which it is in rolling contact. The shaft a carries a worm
or toothed wheel y actuating a counting device by which the revolutions of the shaft a
are registered.
g
It may here be remarked that the relative position and functions of R and V may
be interchanged, that is to say the former may be carried by the shaft a and the
latter by the shaft A in which case the disc V is rotated by the mechanical or electric
motor and drives R.
For recording the current (tension energy) used in a circuit during a certain
space of time, it is only necessary to render the speed of rotation dependent upon
the quantity tension and energy of the electric current at the respective moment.
For this purpose a soft iron core k attached to the shaft a is influenced by a
solenoid interposed in the circuit, the operation of the apparatus being as follows
As long as no current passes through the circuit the core assumes such a
position that the frictional disc V is at the point t of the revolving body R but it
is not put in rotation. When a current flows through the circuit, the core
drawn deeper into the solenoid, nearly up to the position marked by 1 whereby the
frictional disc V is raised and rotates at a speed corresponding to the diameter r.
When the current strength (tension and energy) increases in the circuit, the core
is

page_text: is drawn still farther into the solenoid S and the disc V (owing to the continuously
increasing diameter of its path of frictional contact with the revolving body) rotates
more and more quickly. The revolution of the disc V depends therefore directly on
the current strength (tension and energy) so that the consumption of current can be
directly determined by the recorded number of revolutions provided that the different
diameters of the body R are proportional to the spaces 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6. To
obtain this, the revolving body would have to be of a shape such as is shewn by the
dotted lines in Figure I, because the said spaces are not simply proportional to the
strength of the current, that is to say when the current is of double or triple strength
they are not of double or triple length but the adoption of such a form would be
attended by numerous difficulties.
To allow of the use of a body the generatrix of which is a right line, a suitably
shaped hollow or solid body s (see Figures 2 and 3) is attached to the core and
immersed in a liquid so that either owing to the variable buoyancy (see Figure 2)
or the variable loss of weight (see Figure 3) the said spaces are made proportional
to the uniformly increasing diameters of R.
As, particularly in larger apparatus, the force necessary for actuating the shaft a
and the frictional disc r is rather considerable it is advisable to interpose an electro-
motor or relay. Figure 4 is a diagram of such an arrangement.
From the main circuit H is branched off a branch current flowing in a parallel
direction through two electro-magnets E' and E' their armatures a' and a², the pins
and t2, to the contact points c and 2, while the other pole is connected with the
needle of an Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter.
Z
Between the two electro-magnets is
suspended a rack T provided with oppositely directed teeth and moved upwards by
the extended armature a' and downwards by the arinature a². At the upper end
the rack T carries two insulated contact points c¹ and c² between which moves the
needle of an Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter. The rack T is connected by means of
a cord with the shaft a carrying the friction disc V.
The operation is as follows:-When no current passos through the circuit, the
needle of the Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter is at rest and the friction disc is not
rotated by the revolving body R. When a current passes through the circuit,
however feeble it may be, the needle of the Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter will move
and make contact with c. The branch circuit is now closed, the electro-magnet E¹
attracts its armature a² and the rack T is moved one tooth upwards. At the same
moment the current is broken at t¹, the armature a' is retracted by its spring and
the contact is thereby re-established at t¹ and the rack again moved one tooth until
the needle z has arrived in a new position of rest and the rack has been raised to
such an extent that the needle z no longer touches the contact point c¹. In the
same measure as z is raised, the rack T is also moved upwards, and the friction disc V
is lowered, the speed of rotation of the latter increasing in the proportion as the
disc V approaches the base B of the body R. The speed of rotation of V is
therefore proportional to the stroke of the Ampère meter and consequently to the
quantity of the current passed through the apparatus provided the scales be
uniformly graduated.
In lieu of mounting the contact points c³ and c³ on the rack they may be connected
with the needle of the Ampère meter, as is illustrated in Figure 4*, a simple contact
piece p being in this case fixed to the rack.
Figures 5 and 6 are modified constructions of the apparatus illustrated in
Figure 4.
The apparatus shewn in Figure 5 consists, as in the former case, of the revolving
body R, the friction disc V movable with its shaft, the rack T connected therewith,
an electric pendulum P. actuating the revolving body and raising and lowering tlie
friction disc V, and the mechanism necessary for transmitting motion from the
pendulum to the frictional mechanism with the relay actuating the latter. The
apparatus works in such a manner that the needle z of the Ampère meter A moves
between two contact points c' and c³ and excites, according as it comes in contact
with.c' or c³, the electro-magnet E' or E³. Between E³ and E' moves the armature a

page_text: carried by two spiral springs f¹ and ƒ and guiding the lever jointed to the
pendulum P. When the armature a is attracted by the electro-magnet E¹ or E³ the
lever is raised or lowered and geared with the toothed wheel or z² which is then
turned one tooth at each stroke of the pendulum, and this motion is iransmitted to
the rack T actuating the friction disc V.
Figure 6 shows an Ampère meter, consisting of a solenoid by whose core the closure
of the current is effected. The tension or the energy of the current may be recorded
in the same way as the current strength.
The advantage of this apparatus, compared with the contrivances hitherto known,
lies in the fact that even the smallest quantities of electricity are recorded and that
the apparatus is independent of external influences. The apparatus may also serve
at the same time for determining the current momentarily flowing through the
circuit. For this purpose it is only necessary to apply to the rack T a needle
moving over a scale. The apparatus is furthermore transportable without being
liable to be damaged by shocks, and the indications are not subject to the effects
of the ambient temperature. As the apparatus can be arranged for indicating the
electricity passing at any moment through the circuit any person is capable of
controlling the accuracy of the indications made.
1
1000
J. EINSTEIN.
S. KORNPROBST.
By A. M. & Wm. Clark,
53, Chancery Lane, London, Patent Agents.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Electric Meters and Indicators.
We JACOB EINSTEIN and SEBASTIAN KORNPROBST, both of Munich, Bavaria,
Manufacturers 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
-
This invention relates to electric meters and recorders which, when interposed at
any point in the circuit, will indicate at any moment the current flowing through the
circuit (Ampères, Volts, Watts,) and register by means of a counting device the current
used during a certain space of time.
For this purpose a revolving body communicates motion, through the intervention
of an intermediate piece, to a registering device the ratio of the effective diameter of the
revolving body to that of the intermediate piece being varied according to the strength of
the electric current, the speed of rotation being correspondingly varied, either directly
through the current to be measured by means of a solenoid, or indirectly through a
branch current in which are interposed two oppositely acting electro-magnets.
The invention will be described with reference to the drawings accompanying our
Provisional Specification wherein
Figure 1 shews a construction of the apparatus in which the intermediate piece is
shifted directly by a solenoid.
Figures 2 and 3 illustrate means of compensation for the apparatus shewn in
Figure 1.
Figure 4 is a diagram of an apparatus in which the intermediate piece is shifted
indirectly through an electro-motor (relay) which is actuated when the electric
current strength (tension and energy) is altered.
Figure 4 shews a modification of part of Figure 4.
Figures 5 and 6 are modified constructions of the apparatus shewn in Figure 4.
The apparatus consists of a revolving body R in the form of a cone, put in uniform
rotation about its axis A by any suitable mechanical or electrical motor, such as an
electric pendulum. A shaft a is arranged parallel to the sides of the revolving body,
the said shaft being movable longitudinally in bearings and carrying a friction

page_text: disc V. This disc is rotated by frictional contact with the revolving body at a
relative speed inversely proportionate to the ratio of the diameter of the disc to the
part of the body with which it is in rolling contact. The shaft a carries a worm or
toothed wheel - actuating a counting device by which the revolutions of, the shaft a
are registered..
It may here be remarked that the relative positions and functions of R and V may
be interchanged, that is to say the former may be carried by the shaft a and the latter
by the shaft A in which case the disc V is rotated by the mechanical or electric motor
and drives R.
For recording the current (tension energy) used in a circuit during a certain space
of time, it is only necessary to render the speed of rotation dependent upon the
quantity tension and energy of the electric current at the respective moment. For
this purpose a soft iron core k attached to the shaft a is influenced by a solenoid S
interposed in the circuit, the operation of the apparatus being as follows. As long as
no current passes through the circuit the core assumes such a position that the
frictional disc V is at the point t of the revolving body R but it is not put in rotation.
When a current flows through the circuit, the core k is drawn deeper into the
solenoid, nearly up to the position marked by 1 whereby the frictional disc V is raised
and rotates at a speed corresponding to the diameter r.
When the current strength (tension and energy) increases in the circuit, the core
is drawn still farther into the solenoid S and the disc V (owing to the continuously
increasing diameter of its path of frictional contact with the revolving body) rotates
more and more quickly. The revolution of the disc V depends therefore directly on
the current strength (tension and energy) so that the consumption of current can be
directly determined by the recorded number of revolutions provided that the different
diameters of the body R are proportional to the spaces 1, 2, 2, 3, 3, 6. To
obtain this, the revolving body would have to be of a shape such as is shown by the
dotted lines in Figure 1, because the said spaces are not simply proportional to the
strength of the current, that is to say when the current is of double or triple strength
they are not of double or triple length. but the adoption of such a form would be
attended by numerous difficulties.
To allow of the use of a body the generatrix of which is a right line, a suitably
shaped hollow or solid body s (see Figures 2 and 3) is attached to the core and
immersed in a liquid so that either owing to the variable buoyancy (see Figure 2) or
the variable loss of weight (see Figure 3) the said spaces are made proportional to the
uniformly increasing diameters of R.
As, particularly in larger apparatus, the force necessary for actuating the shaft a
and the frictional disc is rather considerable it is advisable to interpose an electro-
motor or relay. Figure 4 is a diagram of such an arrangement.
From the main circuit H is branched off a branch current flowing in a parallel
direction through two electro-magnets E' and E, their armatures a¹ and a³, the pins t¹
and 2, to the contact points c¹ and c, while the other pole is connected with the
needle of an Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter. Between the two electro-magnets is
suspended a rack T provided with oppositely directed teeth and moved upwards by the
extended armature a¹ and downwards by the armature a². At the upper end the
rack T carries two insulated contact points c¹ and c² between which moves the needle
of an Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter. The rack T is connected by means of a cord
with the shaft a carrying the friction disc V.
The operation is as follows:-When no current passes through the circuit, the
needle of the Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter is at rest and the friction disc is not
rotated by the revolving body R. When a current passes through the circuit, however
feeble it may be, the needle of the Ampère, Volt, or Watt meter will move and make
contact with c¹. The branch circuit is now closed, the electro-magnet El attracts its
armature a' and the rack T is moved one tooth upwards. At the same moment the
current is broken at t, the armature a' is retracted by its spring and the contact is
thereby re-established at t¹ and the rack again moved one tooth until the needle z has
arrived in a new position of rest and the rack has been raised to such an extent that

page_text: the needle z no longer touches the contact point c. In the same measure as z is
raised, the rack T is also moved upwards, and the friction disc V is lowered, the speed
of rotation of the latter increasing in proportion as the disc V approaches the base B
of the body R. When the needle of the Ampère meter makes contact with
contact point c³, the magnet F is energized and the rack rod T is drawn down, thus
raising disc V. The speed of rotation of V is therefore proportional to the stroke of
the Ampère meter and consequently to the quantity of the current passed through the
apparatus provided the scales be uniformly graduated.
In lieu of mounting the contact points and on the rack they may be connected
with the needle of the Ampère meter, as is illustrated in Figure 4*, a simple contact
piece p being in this case fixed to the rack.
Figures 5 and 6 are modified constructions of the apparatus illustrated in
Figure 4.
The apparatus shewn in Figure 5 consists, as in the former case, of the revolving
body R, the friction disc V movable with its shaft, the rack T connected there with, an
electric pendulum P. actuating the revolving body and raising and lowering the friction
disc V, and the mechanism necessary for transmitting motion from the pendulum to the
frictional mechanism with the relay actuating the latter. The apparatus works in
such a manner that the needle z of the Ampère meter A moves between two contact
points cand c and excites, according as it comes in contact with c² or c³, the electro-
magnet E or E. Between E' and moves the armature a carried by two spiral
springs and fand guiding the lever h jointed to the pendulum P. When the
armature a is attracted by the electro-magnet E or E, the lever is raised or
lowered and geared with the toothed wheel 2 or 3 which is then turned one tooth at
each stroke of the pendulum, and this motion is transmitted to the rack T actuating
the friction disc V.
Figure 6 shews an Ampère meter, consisting of a solenoid by whose core the closure
of the current is effected. The tension or the energy of the current may be recorded
in the same way as the current strength.
The advantage of this apparatus, compared with the contrivances hitherto known,
lies in the fact that even the smallest quantities of electricity are recorded and that
the apparatus is independent of external influences. The apparatus may also serve at
the same time for determining the current momentarily flowing through the circuit.
For this purpose it is only necessary to apply to the rack T a needle moving over a
scale. The apparatus is furthermore transportable without being liable to be damaged
by shocks, and the indications are not subject to the effects of the ambient temperature.
As the apparatus can be arranged for indicating the electricity passing at any moment
through the circuit any person is capable of controlling the accuracy of the indications
made.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we
claim is :-
1. An electric measuring and registering apparatus characterised by the employ-
ment of variable speed gear consisting of a friction cone or its equivalent receiving
uniform rotary motion which is communicated through an intermediate piece, say a
friction disc, to a counting device, the ratio of the effective diameters of the cone and
disc and consequently their relative speed being capable of variation by means of an
electric apparatus, according to the current strength tension or energy.
2. An electric measuring and registering apparatus characterised by the employ-
ment of a variable speed gear comprising a uniformly revolving body the generatrix
of which is a straight line and an intermediate piece adjustable with regard to the
revolving body, and of a counting device in combination with a solenoid influenced by
the current to be measured and serving to adjust the variable speed gear, the solenoid
core being connected with a body immersed in a liquid for the purpose of compensa-
tion so as to make the distances moved through by the core proportional to the
variations of strength tension or energy of the electric current.

page_text: 3. An electric measuring and registering apparatus characterised by the employ-
ment of an electro-motor actuated through the needle of an Ampère, Volt, or Watt
meter interposed in the circuit and effecting the adjustment of the variable speed gear
so as to vary the speed transmitted until the needle of the Ampère, Volt, or 'Watt,
meter has arrived again in its position of rest.
4. An electric measuring and registering apparatus in which the variable speed gear
is adjusted by the pendulum or other motor actuating the driver of said gear as soon
as the electro-motor (relay) put in action through the needle of an Ampère, Volt, or
Watt meter interposed in the circuit, connects the moving mechanism or with
the force motor.
Data S
1041 3000