Improvements in Regulating Alternating Electric Currents.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 16th June, 1886.
Complete Left, 7th Feb., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 25th Mar., 1887.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Regulating Alternating Electric Currents.
We, CARL ZIPERNOWSKI, MAX DERI and OTTO TITUS BLÁTHY, all of Budapest in
the Empire of Austria, Engineers, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to
be as follows :-
The object of this invention is to regulate the intensity or the tension of
alternating electric currents by means of induction coils or transformers. The
arrangement first to be described is intended to maintain a constant ratio between the
intensities of alternating electric currents having a common source, or to divide an
alternating current of given intensity into two or more branch currents of determined
strength. We make use of the following principle to attain the above object. If two
alternating currents of common origin are sent in opposite directions through the two
bobbins of an induction coil, this coil will have a tendency to bring the intensities of
the two currents into a ratio to one another equal to the reciprocal value of the ratio
of the number of windings of the respective bobbins, that is, in the bobbin in which the
number of windings multiplied by the current's strength gives the larger value, there
will be acting a counter electromotive force, weakening the current, while in the
second bobbin an electromotive force of the same direction as the current will tend to
increase this. The larger the mutual induction coefficient of the two bobbins of the
coil is, the less will be the difference between the ratio of the strength of the two
currents and the inverse ratio of the numbers of windings of the bobbins.
Therefore if we desire to have two alternating currents with their current strength
in a determined ratio to one another, we cause the currents to traverse the two
bobbins of an induction coil, the numbers of windings of the said bobbins being in a
ratio to one another the inverse of that of the intensities aimed at.
If more than two currents require to have determined intensities, each two of them
Or coils with
will have to pass through a coil of the above named description.
more than two bobbins may be used, the numbers of windings of which are in the
But such a coil will
inverse ratios of the intensities of the respective currents.
only maintain constant the sum of the currents flowing round the core in one
direction, that is, it will maintain these in a given ratio to the sum of the currents
flowing in the opposite direction.

page_text: In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings some applications of this mode of regula-
tion are shewn. K and K are the points where the alternating electric current enters
the system of distribution under consideration. The total intensity of the current
proceeding from K¹ and K² is supposed to be maintained at a constant value by
means not pertaining to this invention. The current is divided into three circuits
I, II and III, the ratio of the three currents in these circuits is maintained constant
by the induction coils A, B and C notwithstanding variations in the resistances of the
circuits or in the counter electromotive forces acting in the said circuits. Circuit I is
subdivided into two branches, in the one of these incandescent lamps are inserted in
series, in the other there are transformers, each of these feeding one lamp; the inten-
sities of currents in these two branches of circuit. I are steadied by coil D. Circuit. II
feeds are lamps in series; at E there are two lamps for half the current needed by the
others, and the currents for these two lamps are equalised by the coil E. In the
circuit III there is inserted at M. a transformer, which feeds in the secondary circuit
two parallel series of incandescent lamps; these two series have their currents
equalised by the coil F, which maintains the two currents at equal intensities even
when one or more lamps are short circuited in one of the two branches. At G the
circuit III divides in two, and in both of the branches there is a transformer for one
arc lamp, the coil G, performing the regulation of the currents.
A second mode of applying transformers for the regulation of alternating electric
currents is made use of, when alternating electric currents are distributed in a manner
to maintain constant the tension at the ends of the conductors. In such cases we use
transformers for compensating the variations of tension caused by the resistances of
the conductors for such points of consumption which are not so distant from the source
of electricity, as the points at which the tension is maintained constant a priori, that
is, for the purpose of feeding these points also with currents of constant tension.
This object is accomplished in two ways somewhat differing from one another.
In Fig. 2 is shewn the first of these two manners. At A is the source of electricity,
whence originate the main conductors M and N, which supply in parallel are the
different consumption devices, as are and incandescent lamps, transformers, etc. The
generation of current is to be such that, at the ends of the conductors, at B, the
tension be constant, in consequence of which the current tension at A will increase in
proportion with the intensity of the main current. At all intermediate points the
tension will also increase with the current strength. In order to supply the points of
consumption notwithstanding this with currents of constant tension, we cause the
branch current on its way to the consumption device to traverse one coil of a
transformer, while the other coil of this transformer is inserted into the main con-
ductor, in such a way, that the two currents flow round the common core in the same
direction. The induction in the coil counteracts the branch current, this counter
electromotive force being proportional to the intensity of the main current. But in
the same proportion there will be an increase of tension at the point of junction in the
main conductors. By suitable size and winding of the transformer, the above
mentioned counter electromotive force can be made equal to the increase of tension in
the main conductors, and thereby the consumption devices be fed with currents of
constant tension. In Fig. 2 some modes of application are shewn. At I incandescent
lamps are derived directly from the mains, a is the compensating coil. At II the
same is the case with an arc lamp. At III and IV the consumption devices are
supplied with the intervention of a transformer (secondary generator) the difference
being, that while in III the primary current is made to traverse the compensating
coil in IV the secondary current is acted upon by the compensating coil, R
and S being in the two cases the transformers supplying the incandescent lamps or
other devices.
C,
In Fig. 3 a somewhat different combination for the same purpose is shewn. One
coil of the compensating coil or transformer is again traversed by the main current,
but the second coil or bobbin of this transformer is closed by a determined resistance;
through this resistance we cause also to pass the branch current for the consumption
device in view, in such a manner, that this branch current shall have the same

page_text: direction, in the resistance, with the current generated by induction in the com-
pensating coil. The difference of potential at the terminals of the said resistance
is dependent upon the intensity of the secondary current induced by the main current
in the compensating coil, therefore also on the intensity of the main current itself.
This difference of potential counteracts the current branching to the consumption
device. By suitable coils and resistances we may therefore maintain an almost
constant difference of potential at the points of consumption. In Fig. 3 some modes
of application of this combination are shewn. At A is the source of electricity from
whence originate the main conductors M and N, the tension at A being made to be
such, that at the ends of the conductors at B, the difference of potential be a constant
onc. At I incandescent lamps are derived from the main conductors; the branch
current traverses the resistance r, through which also passes the secondary current
induced by the main current in the transformer a. At II incandescent lamps are
supplied with the secondary current, from a transformer R, the primary current for
which goes through the resistance & which is likewise traversed by the compensating
current induced in by the main current. In III there are also incandescent lamps
supplied by the transformer S, but in this case it is the secondary current of this
which is caused to pass the resistance e which receives also the secondary current of.
the compensating coil c. These combinations are especially valuable for controlling at
the source of the electric currents the tension that is acting at any moment at the
consumption devices. For this purpose a voltmeter is derived directly or by the
aid of a transformer from the mains near the source of electricity, and the variations
of tension due to the resistances of the conductors, in consequence of variable intensity
of the main current, are compensated for by aid of one of the two devices described
above. The compensating coil, or the coil and resistance, cause the voltmeter to
indicate as if it were connected to the ends of the conductors, where it is desired to
have a constant tension.
1000
ABEL & IMRAY,
28, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Regulating Alternating Electric Currents.
We CARL ZIPERNOWSKI, MAX DERI, and OTTO TITUS BLATAY, all of Budapest
in the Empire of Austria, Engineers, 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:-
The object of this invention is to regulate the intensity or the tension of alternating
electric currents by means of induction coils or transformers.
The arrangement first to be described is intended to maintain a constant ratio
between the intensities of alternating electric currents having a common source or to
divide an alternating current of given intensity into two or more branch currents of
determined strength.
We make use of the following principle to attain the above object. If two
alternating currents of common origin are sent in opposite directions through the two
bobbins of an induction coil this coil will have a tendency to bring the intensities
of the two currents into a ratio to one another equal to the reciprocal value of the
ratio of the number of windings of the respective bobbins that is in the bobbin in
which the number of windings multiplied by the current's strength gives the larger
value, there will be acting a counter electromotive force weakening the current, while
in the second bobbin an electromotive force of the same direction as the current will
tend to increase this. The larger the mutual induction coefficient of the two bobbins
of the coil is, the less will be the difference between the ratio of the strength of the
two currents and the inverse ratio of the numbers of windings of the bobbins.
Therefore if we desire two have two alternating currents with their current strength
in a determined ratio to one another, we cause the currents to traverse the two bobbins
of an induction coil, the numbers of windings of the said bobbins being in a ratio to
one another the inverse of that of the intensities aimed at.
If more than two currents require to have determined intensities' each two of them
will have to pass through a coil of the above named description. Or coils with more
than two bobbins may be used, the numbers of windings of which are in the inverse
ratios of the intensities of the respective currents. But such a coil will only maintain
constant the sum of the currents flowing round the core in one direction, that is, it
will maintain these in a given ratio to the sum of the currents flowing in the opposite
direction.
In Fig. 1 of the accompanying drawings some applications of this mode of regula-
tion are shewn. K' and K are the points where the alternating electric current
enters the system of distribution under consideration.
The total intensity of the current proceeding from K³ and K² is supposed to be
maintained at a constant value by means not pertaining to this invention. The current
is divided into three circuits I, II and III, the ratio of the three currents in these
circuits is maintained constant by the induction coils A B and C, notwithstanding
variations in the resistances of the circuits or in the counter electromotive forces

page_text: acting in the said circuits. Circuit I is subdivided into two branches, in the one of
these incandescent lamps are inserted in series in the other there are transformers
each of these feeding one lamp; the intensities of currents in these two branches of
circuit I are steadied by coil D. Circuit II feeds are lamps in series: at E there are
two lamps for half the current needed by the others and the currents for these two
lamps are equalised by the coils E. In the circuit III there is inserted at M a
transformer, which feeds in the secondary circuit two parallel series of incandescent
lamps these two series have their currents equalised by the coil. F. which maintains
the two currents at equal intensities even when one or more lamps are short circuited
in one of the two branches. At G the circuit III divides in two, and in both of the
branches there is atrans former for one arc lamp, the coil-G. performing the regulation
of the currents.
A second mode of applying transformers for the regulation of alternating electric
currents is made use of, when alternating electric currents are distributed in a manner
to maintain constant the tension at the ends of the conductors. In such cases we use
transformers for compensating the variations of tension caused by the resistances of
the conductors for such points of consumption which are not so distant from the source
of electricity, as the points at which the tension is maintained constant, a priori, that
is, for the purpose of feeding these points also with currents of constant tension.
This object is accomplished in two ways somewhat differing from one another. In
Fig. 2 is shewn the first of these two manners. At A. is the source of electricity
whence originate the main conductors M and N, which supply in parallel are the
different consumption devices, as arc and incandescent lamps transformers &c.
The generation of current is to be such that at the ends of the conductors, at B the
tension be constant in consequence of which the current tension at A will increase in
proportion with the intensity of the main current. At all intermediate points the
tension will also increase with the current strength. In order to supply the points of
consumption, notwithstanding this, with currents of constant tension, we cause the
branch current on its way to the consumption device to traverse one coil of a trans-
former, while the other coil of this transformer is inserted into the main conductor,
in such a way, that the two currents flow round the common core in the same direction.
The induction in the coil counteracts the branch current, this counter electromotive
force being proportional to the intensity of the main current. But in the same
proportion there will be an increase of tension at the point of junction in the main
conductors. By suitable size and winding of the transformer the above mentioned
counter electro motive force can be made equal to the increase of tension in the main
conductors, and thereby the consumption devices be fed with currents of constant
tension. In Fig. 2 some modes of application are shewn. At I incandescent lamps
are derived directly from the mains, a is the compensating coil. At II the same is
the case with an arc lamp. At III and IV the consumption devices are supplied with
the intervention of a transformer (secondary generator) the difference being, that
while in III the primary current is made to traverse the coinpensating coil c, in IV
the secondary current is acted upon by the compensating coil, R and S being in the two
cases the transformers supplying the incandescent lamps or other devices.
In Fig. 3 a somewhat different combination for the same purpose is shewn. One
coil of the compensating coil or transformer is again traversed by the main current,
but the second coil or bobbin of this transformer is closed by a determined resistance ;
through this resistance we make also to pass the branch current for the consumption
device in view, in such a manner, that this branch current shall have the same direction
in the resistance, with the current generated by induction in the compensating coil.
The difference of potential at the terminals of the said resistance is dependent upon
the intensity of the secondary current induced by the main current in the compensating
coil, therefore also on the intensity of the main current itself. This difference of
potential, counteracts the current branching to the consumption device. By suitable
coils and resistances we may therefore maintain an almost constant difference of
potential at the points of consumption. In Fig. 3 some modes of application
of this combination are shewn. At A is the source of electricity, from

page_text: 2"
whence originate the main conductors M and N the tension at A being made to he
such that at the ends of the conductors at B the difference of potential be a constant
one. At I incandescent lamps are derived from the main inductors; the branch
current traverses the resistance through which also passes the secondary current
induced by the main current in the transformer a. At II incandescent lamps are
supplied. with the secondary current from a transformer R, the primary current for
which goes through the resistances which is likewise traversed by the compensating
current induced in b by the main current. In III there are also incandescent lamps
supplied by the transformer S, but in this case it is the secondary current of this
which is caused to pass the resistance e which receives also the secondary current of
the compensating.coil c.
These combinations are especially valuable for controlling at the source of the
electric currents the tension that is acting at any moment at the consumption devices.
For this purpose a voltmeter is derived directly or by the aid of a transformer from
the mains near the source of electricity, and the variations of tension due to the
resistances of the conductor, in consequence of variable intensity of the main current,
are compensated for by aid of one of the two devices described above. The com-
pensating coil, or the coil and resistance, cause the voltmeter to indicate as if it were
connected to the ends of the conductors, where it is desired to have a constant tension.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that what we claim is:-
1st. In distributing alternating electric currents with the object of having constant
or nearly constant intensities of currents in the various circuits, the combination with
the said circuits of induction coils or transformers, through the bobbins of which two
of the currents or two groups of currents are caused to flow in opposite directions
round the iron core, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.
2nd. In distributing alternating electric currents with constant or nearly constant
difference of potential in the conductors, the combination with the said conductors of
induction coils or transformers, the one bobbin of which is inserted into the main
conductor at or near the point where a branch current is derived from the same, this
branch current, or the secondary current induced by it in a transformer; passing
through the second bobbin of the induction coil in the same direction with reference
to the iron core as the main current through the first, substantially as and for the
purpose set forth.
3rd. In distributing alternating electric currents with constant or nearly constant
difference of potential in the conductors, the combination with the said conductors of in-
duction coils or transformers, inserted with one bobbin in the main current at or near
the point where a branch current is derived from the same, the second bobbin of the
induction coil being closed upon a suitable resistance, through which resistance
the branch current derived from the main line, or the secondary current induced by
this branch current in a transformer, is also made to pass substantially as and for thic
purpose set forth.
ABEL & IMRAY,
Agents for the Applicants.