Year: 1888

page_text: Date of Application, 10th May, 1888
Complete Specification Left, 11th Mar., 1889
Complete Specification Accepted, 10th May, 1889
I, MORITZ IMMISCH, of 119 Torriano Avenue, Camden Town, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
This invention relates to an improved switch for electrical tramcars.
In a "direct" system it serves to reverse the motor, and in an "accumulator "
system it serves to put the two halves of the battery either in series or in parallel, and
may in such latter system with a slight modification be made to serve for both
purposes.
The improvement consists chiefly in this, that the desired change, whether" reversal,"
or "coupling up" of the battery, is not effected until the current is broken through a
resistance on either side. Thus take the case of a "reversal," on moving the handle
of the switch towards the middle of its course from the point of full contact on
either side, resistance is gradually introduced, and after the current is broken
(but not before) the contact pieces begin to move from their terminals towards
the position for effecting the desired change. When the handle arrives at the
middle of its course the motor connection is also broken. Continuing the motion
of the handle the change of the contact pieces is first completed; the motor con-
nections are now re-established with the difference that the armature turns in an
opposite direction. After this change is completed the circuit is re-established
through a gradually diminishing resistance.
In the case of using this switch for coupling up the halves of the battery either
in series or in parallel the action is as follows:-On moving the handle towards
the middle of its course from either side the current is first broken through a
gradually increasing resistance. When the handle arrives in the middle of its
course the connections of the battery are severed. On continuing the motion of
the handle the battery.connections are first established in the way desired, either
for low or high tension, and not before this is effected can the circuit be re-
established, through a gradually diminishing resistance as in the former case.
ID 1171

page_text: The middle position of the handle is that in which the switch must be left
when the driver moves from one end of the car to the other in order to go the
opposite way.
The handle is formed so that it can only be removed from or
inserted on its arbor when it is in this middle position, and if the driver has
only one handle to drive from either end it is clear that it is impossible for him
to make a mistake. Precaution like this is essential as otherwise through ignorance
or neglect the consequences would be serious to either motor or battery.
The action of the switch is brought about by employing two centres of motion,
one circle within the periphery of the other, and so placed that through a certain
angle two points belonging to the two circles respectively remain in contact.
This angle corresponds to the distance through which the contact pieces previously
mentioned have to travel in order to effect the desired electrical change. Beyond
this angle the two points in the two circles part from each other; one remains
stationary and is that one in connection with the contact pieces above referred to,
while the other forms part of the handle which now moves independently of the
other circle or centre of motion, and is used to make and break the current
through variable resistances.
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.

page_text: I, MORITZ IMMISCH, of 119 Torriano Avenue, Camden Town, London, in the County
of Middlesex, Electrician, 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 an improved switch for electro motors used for
propulsion.
In a direct system it serves to put two motors either in parallel or in series with
each other, and in an accumulator system may serve to put the two halves of the
battery either in parallel or in series with each other.
A slight modification of it serves for a reversing switch for a motor.
The improvement consists chiefly in this, that the desired change, whether "reversal,"
or "coupling up" of the battery, is not effected until the current is broken through
a resistance on either side. Thus take the case of a "reversal," on moving the handle
of the switch towards the middle of its course from the point of full contact on either
side, resistance is gradually introduced, and after the current is broken (but not
before) the contact pieces begin to move from their terminals towards the position,
effecting the desired change. When the handle arrives at the middle of its course the
motor connection is also broken. Continuing the motion of the handle the change of
the contact pieces is first completed; the motor connections are now re-established
with the difference that the armature turns in an opposite direction. After the change
is completed the circuit is re-established through a gradually diminishing resistance.
In the case of using this switch for coupling up the halves of the battery either in
series or in parallel the action is as follows:-On moving the bandle towards the
middle of its course from either side the current is first broken through a gradually
increasing resistance. When the handle arrives in the middle of its course the con-
nections of the battery are severed. On continuing the motion of the handle the
battery connections are first established in the way desired, either for low or high
tension, and not before this is effected can the circuit be re-established, throngh a
gradually diminishing resistance as in the former case.
In a similar way the switch may be used for putting two motors either in series or
in parallel with each other.
The middle position of the handle is that in which the switch inust be left when the
driver moves from one end of the car to the other in order to go the opposite way.
The handle is formed so that it can only be removed from or inserted on its arbor
when it is in this middle position, and if the driver has only one handle to drive from
either end it is clear that it is impossible for him to make a mistake. Precaution like
this is essential as otherwise through ignorance or neglect the consequences would be
serious to either motor or battery.
The action of the switch is brought about by employing two centres of motion, one
circle within the periphery of the other, and so placed that through a certain angle
This angle
two points belonging to the two circles respectively remain in contact.
corresponds to the distance through which the contact pieces previously mentioned
have to travel in order to effect the desired electrical change. Beyond this angle the

page_text: two points in the two circles part from each other; one remains stationary and is that
one in connection with the contact pieces above referred to, while the other forms part
of the handle which now moves independently of the other circle or centre of motion,
and is used to make and break the current through variable resistances.
In the accompanying drawings Figs. 1, 2, 3 and 4, show the method in which the
switch is constructed.
In these drawings A is the spindle to receive the switch handle, and to which the
arm B is keyed; C, D, E and C, D', and E', are the terminals of the resistances to
be introduced. On the centre F is mounted a disc G through a slot G¹ in which the
switch handle spindle A projects. The disc G has two contact points H, H', projecting
down from its under surface, while arm 13 has an upward projection B' to engage with
such points.
The disc G also carries the contact makers and breakers I, I, and J, J, forming two
separate pairs, which act in conjunction with the terminals K to make and break the
circuit.
When the switch arm B is in its central position, as shown in Fig. 1, the contact
breakers I, I, J, J, are not in contact with any of the terminals K and the circuit is
therefore broken. In this position projection B on arm B is between projections H, HI,
of disc G, and the movement of the arm to the left therefore carries the disc round
with it thus shifting the contact makers I, I, and J, J, and bringing them into con-
nection with the terminals K. When this has been effected, as the centre of arm B is
eccentric to that of disc G, the projection B¹ on the former leaves the projection H on
the latter, (as shown in Fig. 3) and the arm B will then move alone, and pass in
succession over the resistance terminals C, D, E, thus gradually diminishing the
resistance in the circuit. On the reverse movement of arm B such resistances will be
introduced in succession before projection B engages the other projection H¹ on
dise G and causes the latter to turn on its pivot so as to disengage the contact
makers I, I, and J, J, from the terminals K. This occurs when arm B is in its central
position again, and then the first part of the movement of arm B to the opposite side
causes disc G to shift and make the changes necessary, when it again becomes
stationary, while arm B again withdraws the resistances as it comes successively in
contact with the resistance terminals C. D', and E¹.
A notched wheel L on spindle A acts in conjunction with a spring pawl M to
prevent accidental shifting of the moving paris.
For the purpose of effecting either series or parallel connections at will, four
terminals K are required (as shown in Figs. 1 and 2), and the contact makers I, I,
are in metallic connection with disc G, while the contact makers J, J, are insulated
therefrom. The disc G is metallically connected to arm B through its centre F and
the plate N, which as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is connected to the centre F and
surrounds spindle A, which can turn in same.
In the case of a switch for reversing a motor five terminals K are employed as
shown in Fig. 5, and both pairs of contact makers I, I, and J, J, are insulated from
disc G.
Figs. 6 and 7 show the connections with the switch which are made when two halves of
an accumulator system are to be connected in series or in parallel at will, Fig. 6 showing
the position of the switch when such halves are connected in series, and Fig. 7 the
position when they are connected in parallel. In these Figs., Z is the motor,
and X, X, the two halves of the accumulator system. The positive pole of the
half is connected to terminal K', and its negative pole to K³, while the + pole of
half X is connected to terminal K, and its-pole to terminal K. The terminal K' is
also connected to one terminal of the motor Z, the other terminal of which is connected
to the resistance terminal E'. The connection of the resistances between the.
terminals C, D, E, C, D, E', is clearly shown.
The arrows will enable the course of the current to be followed when the switch is
in the position shown in Fig. 6, or in that shown in Fig. 7, and it will be seen that
the two halves of the battery are in series in the former case, and in parallel in the
latter.

page_text: Figs. 8 and 9 show the connections for enabling two motors Z and Z', to be placed
either in series or in parallel at will, Fig. 8 showing the position of the switch when
the motors are in series, and Fig. 9 its position when they are in parallel. In this
case one terminal of motor Z is connected to terminal K of the switch, and its other
terminal to K, while one terminal of motor Z is connected to K' and the other to K*.
The latter terminal is also connected to one pole of the battery or dynamo X, and the
other pole of which is connected to terminal E' of the resistances.
Figs. 10 and 11 show the connections necessary for effecting the reversal of a series
wound motor. In this case as before stated five switch terminals K¹, K³, K³, K₁,
and K are employed, and the contact makers I, I, J, J, are insulated from the dise
on which they are mounted. The terminal K is connected to the centre of the
switch, and terminals K' and K' are connected together. The terminal K³ is con-
nected to one of the armature brushes, while the other brush is connected to
terminal K. One end of the field is connected to terminal K and the other end to
one pole of the battery or dynamo X, the other pole of the latter being connected
to the resistance terminal E₁ of the switch.
It will be seen by the arrows that the path of the current through the armature of
the motor will be in the reverse direction when the switch is in the position shown in
Fig. 9 to what it will be when the switch is in the position shown in Fig. 10.
Figs. 12 and 13 show the connections necessary for effecting the reversal of a shunt
wound motor.
In this case the connections are the same as in the case of a series wound motor, as
previously described, with the exception that terminal K³ besides being connected
with the switch centre F is also connected with one end of the field, while the other
end of the field besides being connected to one terminal of the battery or dynamo is
also connected to terminal K of the switch.
It will be seen by the arrows that the path of the current through the armature of
the motor will be in the reverse direction when the switch is in the position shown in
Fig. 12, to what it will be when the switch is in the position shown in Fig. 13.
It will be readily understood that by keeping the direction of the current through
the armature constant, and reversing the direction of same through the field, the same
result would be obtained.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, 1 declare that what I
claim is :-
The improved switch for electro motors consisting in a spindle mounted eccentrically
to a disc and carrying an arm with a projection capable of engaging with projections
on the disc, so that the latter is actuated thereby for only a portion of the travel of the
switch arm, such arm serving to introduce resistances successively before the circuit is
broken, and to take out such resistances after the circuit is again completed, the
contacts for establishing and breaking the circuit being carried by the disc actuated
by such arm, all substantially as and for the purposes specified.
Dated this 6th day of March 1889
ALLISON BROS.,
Agents for the Applicant.