IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC-LAMPS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Arthur William Lovell Reddie, of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC-LAMPS." A communication from
abroad by Hermann Sedlaczek and Franz Wiknlill, both of Leoben, in the
Empire of Austria.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Arthur William Lovell
Reddie at the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 12th April
1881.
ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery Lane,
in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LAMPS."
[A communication from abroad by Hermann Sedlaczek and Franz Wiknlill, both
of Leoben, in the Empire of Austria.]
This Invention relates to improvements in the means of regulating the feed of
the electrodes in that class of lamps in which the holders of the said electrodes
are supported on fluid contained in closed vessels communicating with each other
at their lower parts. This improved regulation of the feed of the electrodes is
effected either by connecting directly or indirectly a centrifugal governor upon the
motive power engine with a hollow cock or piston of peculiar construction, whereby
the passage of the fluid from one vessel to the other may be perfectly controlled,
or by means of a novel arrangement of electro-magnet whereby a piston is caused
to operate with great delicacy in controlling the passage of the fluid from one
vessel to the other. According to this system both the lamps and the motive power
engine are caused to regulate each other reciprocally, and the important advantage
is attained that the carbon rods are only advanced towards each other in exact
proportion to their rate of consumption, whereas in other lamps the separation of
the carbon points effected at the commencement is perceptible at every regulation
of the lamps.
It is found that a motive power engine, either with or without an automatic
regulator, runs more slowly with a closed circuit than when thro' the formation and

page_text: enlargement of the voltaic arc, the resistance is increased, and that the increased
velocity of rotation of the machine bears an exact proportion to the increase of the
voltaic arc. Acting on this principle a rotary machine is fitted with a centrifugal
governor whose movements will be in accordance with the velocity of the machine.
This centrifugal governor may be brought into action either by an excessive
degree of rotation of the electric machine or of the motive power engine itself,
and its action will in all cases accord with the variations of the velocity of
rotation.
This centrifugal governor is brought into connection (either through the inter-
vention of a lever, rod, or other suitable means) with that portion of the lamp by
which the electric arc is formed, and also provides for the feeding forward of the
carbons as they are consumed. The following example will serve to explain how
this takes place :-
Within the lower part of a lamp, the electrodes of which move vertically in
communicating vessels filled with liquid, and between the said vessels a cylinder
is fitted into which is passed a hollow cock or piston. The cylinder, as well as the
piston, having openings in the direction of the connecting channel, which during
the time the lamp is not in action keep open the communication for the fluid
between both cylinders. So soon however as the machines are set to work the
piston (the upper portion of which carries a simple lever or has a toothed wheel
adapted to it, in which a sector rack provided with a lever takes, and which is in
direct connection with the centrifugal governor), will be turned by reason of the
lifting or drawing up of a part of the centrifugal governor. In consequence of this
movement the opening from the positive cylinder will first be closed; on the
further turning movement the piston will be caused to rise upwards on an inclined
plane, thereby exerting a suction action and withdrawing the fluid out of the
negative cylinder, which will produce a sinking of the negative carbon and thereby
establish the voltaic arc.
The consumption of the carbon and consequent extension of the arc necessarily
increases the velocity of rotation of the engines, and thereby causes a further lifting
or drawing together of the parts of the governor, and a further turning of the
piston until this latter, when a voltaic arc of the required dimensions is attained,
restores by. means of a second opening the communication of the fluid between the
vessels supporting the positive and the negative carbons, whereby the electrodes
are caused to move towards each other, the machines rotate slowly, and the
governor turns the piston backwards, thus shutting off the connecting passage.
This action is repeated during the entire working.
The action of the centrifugal governor upon the connecting rod or lever is during
working very slight, because it is closely confined to the vicinity of the connecting
passage during a slight forward and backward turning of the piston, by which
minute oscillations take place either on a perfectly vertical or nearly vertical plane
of the cylinder or its piston, an arrangement which ensures the maintenance of
the voltaic arc which was made at the commencement.
.
The second part of this Invention relates to an improved arrangement of electro-
magnet for obviating the disadvantages inherent in all lamps generally known,
and which arise from the fact that there is too great a difference between the
magnetic force of the regulating electro magnet at the time of the normal length
of the voltaic arc, and at the time when the feeding forward of the carbon points
take place. Owing to this large variation in resistance the regulation of the lamp
is difficult because the counteracting spiral spring cannot always be adjusted in
proportion to such resistance.
Attempts have been made to remove this difficulty by placing the armature at
a considerable distance from the electro magnet so as to ensure a considerable
movement of the parts which operate the regulating mechanism.
These necessary requirements are attained by this Invention, even with the
smallest play of the armature (which in this arrangement takes place in magnetic
field of almost constant power), by making the lever of the armature short and
:
:

page_text: that of the counteracting spiral spring proportionately long, as well as by giving
to the regulating portion of the lamp (such as piston and valves), a point of
attachment to the longer armature lever which ensures a steady and sufficient
action.
The distance of the point of attachment of the spiral spring from the fulcrum
pin of the armature lever, as well as its dimensions and elasticity, will be arrived
at by setting forth as an axiom that the magnetic forces are in inverse proportion
to each other as the squares of their distances.
In addition to this attention to the relations of the several parts in order to
ensure the proper working of the lamp the armature lever is mounted in such a
manner that it will be movable on a vertical axis, and in this position it will act
efficiently even during the most severe shocks and shakings.
By the adoption of one or other of these systems of regulation the most sensitive
motive power engine will work with uninterrupted regularity, because through
the uniform size of arc attained (as a consequence of the most minute differences of
its velocity of rotation) it always has the same amount of work to perform.
The above described method of arranging the magnetic regulator allows of its
advantageous employment also in the division of the electric light.
The spiral spring above mentioned may be conveniently fitted with an adjusting
screw for regulating the tension. A lamp of this kind can be employed both with
direct as well as with alternating currents.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said Arthur William Lovell Reddie in the Great Seal Patent Office
on the 12th October 1881.
ARTHUR WILLIAM LOVELL REDDIE, of the Office for Patents, 66, Chancery
Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Patent Agent. "IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
LAMPS." A communication from abroad by Hermann Sedlaczek and Franz
Wiknlill, both of Leoben, in the Empire of Austria.
This Invention relates to improvements in the means for regulating the feed of
the electrodes in that class of lamps in which the electrode holders are supported
on fluid contained in closed vessels communicating with each other at their lower
parts.
This improved regulation of the feed of the electrodes may be effected mechanically
by the direct action of a centrifugal governor upon a hollow cock or plug of peculiar
construction, or by means of a novel arrangement operated by an electro-magnet
whereby the lamp may be regulated in a twofold manner, and such as is well
adapted to the division of the electric light. The lamps when thus regulated
cannot be prejudicially affected by any shocks or vibrations to which the apparatus
may be subjected, and they are therefore not only very steady when situated on
a fixed point, but are particularly applicable for use on board ship or on locomotive
engines.
The Invention, as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, is as
follows: 1. The regulating arrangement is based on the principal that the
electrical resistance increases in the circuit in the same measure as the voltaic
arc is increased through the consumption of the carbons, and thereupon the electro
motive as well as the magnetic force of the dynamo-electric machine diminishes,
causing a reduction of the work of the motor, and the velocity of rotation of the
machine being consequently increased (under any given driving power) in pro-
portion as the work is lightened.
It follows from this that during the consumption of the carbons the machine
runs at varying speeds, and the less the distance between the carbon points the
lower is the number of rotations, and the greater the distance the higher the
number. This difference is very considerable in a motor without a governor as,
for instance, in a three-cylinder steam engine of the Brotherhood type.
An unvarying distance between the carbon points causes an uniformly high
number of rotations of the engine, and hence also a constant intensity of light, the
attainment of which is always desirable.
The way in which this principle or more properly speaking this difference of the
number of rotations is made use of for the regulation of the electric lamps will be
seen from the following description.
Figures 2, 2*, and 2** show the lamp fitted with the regulating cock or plug in
vertical and longitudinal section and plan view. In these Figures 1 and 2 are the
cylindrical chambers in which the pistons 3 and 4 work airtight. Each of the
two piston carries an electrode. In the base of the apparatus and between the
two cylinders a box or socket a is fitted, and in this a brass plug 6 is passed and
held securely. This plug is open at its under part, and it, as well as the box a, is
provided with two oppositely situated ports c, c², for the passage of the fluid
circulating between the two cylinders, the port c¹ being considerably larger than
the port c, and also a narrow slot d formed in it. The openings in the box a are
marked n and n¹ (see Fig. 2).
The upper surface of the box a is formed with a flange of peculiar construction,
two slightly elevated inclined planes e, e, being formed thereon. The plug b is

page_text: provided at its upper part with wings or arms of which are bevilled at their lower
portion to correspond with the inclined surfaces e, e, of the box a. The wings f
may also be provided with small rollers for diminishing the friction (see the
detached views, Figures 3 to 9 inclusive).
The box a and plug b are covered by a disc g, which in its rotation carries the
plug with it by means of two shoulders or projections h, h, which take into the
space between the wings f (see the detached views, Figures 3, 6, and 9).
The disc g is held down in its place by means of the clamp m. By the upward
pressure of a spiral spring i against the disc g, the plug 6 will be held down in
such a way that the wings f will always rest against the flange of the box a (as
shewn in Fig. 2*).
The disc g carries a stud pin g' on which the lever k is secured, and to the end
of which the connecting rod is attached. This connecting rod is in connection
either directly or by means of a forked lever with the sleeve or connecting rod of
a suitable constructed centrifugal governor, which latter is rotated by means of the
shaft of the motor or of the dynamo-electric machine.
The Drawings shew the regulating arrangement in a state of rest. The operation
of the same is as follows:-
So soon as the carbon points touch each other and the engine is set in motion
the disc g will be caused to turn on its axis by means of the rod of the
governor, and with it the plug b will turn in the direction shewn by the arrow
(Fig. 2**).
The following operations then take place in succession:-The opening c of the
plug b, Figures 4 and 5, is first carried gradually past the corresponding opening n
of the box a until it has closed the same, and thereupon the communication of the
two cylinders on the side next the positive pole is shut off, the hollow plug b being
however during its further rotation still in communication with the negative
cylinder 2 through the larger opening c¹ and the passage n¹.
As the rotation continues the wings f sliding upwards on the correspondingly
inclined surfaces e, e, of the flange of the box a will lift the plug b.
The rising of the plug b causes the negative electrode to fall to a corresponding
extent, whereby the voltaic arc will be formed.
On the further rotation of the plug its vertical position remains unaltered, as it
now moves on the horizontal surfaces x, x, Figures 7, 8, and 9.
When the velocity of the engine, in consequence of the consumption of the carbon
points, reaches such a degree that the small slot d of the plug comes in front of the
passagen of the box, and thereby reestablishes communication between the two
cylinders 1 and 2, then the carbon points will approach one another as the piston
of the positive electrode sinks by its own weight, and the piston of the negative
electrode slightly rises. In consequence of this the distance between the two carbon
points will become less, and the velocity of rotation of the engine diminished to
such an extent that the slot d, by the operation of the governor causing a reverse
motion of the plug, will be shut off from the opening n.
The movement of the slot d in front of the opening n takes place as often and so
soon as the voltaic arc has reached a certain length, and this operation will be
repeated until the carbon electrodes are entirely consumed.
In order to provide for exceptional cases, as when the current of electricity is
interrupted through the breaking of the carbons, or from any other cause, and the
velocity of rotation increases beyond the bounds of the greatest arc, both the plug
and the box beyond the horizontal surfaces x, x, may be provided with analogous
inclined surfaces, in order that the plug during its further rotation may take a
downward inclination thereon, and bring its larger opening c¹ in front of the
opening n of the box, by which the larger communication of the lamp will be
opened, and thus the approach of the two carbon points will be expedited.
When the carbon points have come into contact (in other words when the
electric current is established) the velocity of rotation of the engine is diminished,
the governor forces the lever and with it the plug b forwards and upwards on. the

page_text: reversely inclined planes, by-which movement the arc is formed in the same way
as by the starting of the engine. It is not material whether the upwardly inclined
surfaces of the box a and of the plug b, as well as the similar downwardly inclined
surfaces just mentioned, form together with the horizontal surfaces x, x, a single
are of a circle, or any other suitably curved surface, nor are duplicate upwardly
and downwardly inclined surfaces necessary; there may be several or only a single
one.
When no spiral spring i for pressing open the disc or cover g is employed, the
plug b may be operated by leverage, as indicated in Figures 10 and 10* by means
of pin taking into the groove a, and instead of the lever a toothed wheel ẞ may be
keyed to the piston, into which wheel gears a toothed segment rack y, and thus
the plug may be turned in the same way as was done by the lever k in the above
described arrangement. The latter arrangement is preferable in the case of slight
movements of the governor.
The method of regulation just described is new, and has the advantage over all
others that it allows of a perfectly regular consumption of the carbons, as it reduces
the difference in the length of the voltaic arc to a minimum. The regularity in
the length of the voltaic arc results from the fact that the arc once formed is not
periodically broken and restored again during the continued burning of the light,
as in some systems.
2. In order to render this lamp available for use as a locomotiver or ship's lamp,
with a magnetic regulator, it is furnished with the following special arrangement
of armature lever, by which the disadvantages have been removed which are found
in all the known constructions of lamp, and which result from the fact that the
differences of the mechanical power of the regulating electro-magnets at the time
of the nominal length of the voltaic arc, and at the time at which the advance of
the carbon points takes place, are excessive, such excessive variations having this
disadvantage that the counter force of the spiral spring cannot always be properly
adjusted thereto :—
A wide range of movement for the armature is however desirable, as only in
such such cases can any effective command of the regulating portions of the lamp
be attained.
These requirements are now secured by the present Invention, even with the
smallest motion of the armature, which in this arrangement takes place in a
magnetic field of almost equal strength, as the armature end of the lever is made
short, and the end which causes the counterbalancing spiral spring proportionately
long, and the regulating part of the lam, viz., the piston valve, is operated by the
longer end of the lever.
The distance of the point of application of the spiral spring from the fulcrum of
the armature lever, as well as the dimensions and elasticity of the spring, will be
arrived at by taking as a principle" that the magnetic forces are to each other
inversely as the squares of the distances."
In order to give an example of how advantageous it is for the precise regulation
of lamps to employ this arrangement, let it be supposed for example that the
movement of the armature represents 2, and the magnetic attraction in the nearer
position of the magnet 1; then the magnetic intensity would amount to 4, whilst,
if the movement is 4, the magnetic force operating the armature in the nearer
position 1 of the armature equals 16, and it is well known how difficult it is to adapt
a spiral spring to such wide variations.
The armature lever is mounted on a vertical axis, and this position assures the
precise regulation even during the greatest shocks and vibrations.
The dimensions of the lever will be so arranged that the armature is secured to
the shorter end, whilst the much longer and opposite end of the same is attached to
the regulating mechanism and the spiral spring. The latter will be selected of
such a size and strength as to represent as nearly as possible a balance between the
greatest and the least attraction on the armature. Its point of application will be
so arranged by means of the adjusting screw y, and its tensile force by the screw %,

page_text: that under a given length of illuminating arc (or in other words under a given
strength of electric current) the armature and spiral spring may be balanced in
every position of the same. Every change in the strength of the current causes
either a tension or relaxing of the spiral spring. This arrangement of mechanism
and the form of hollow piston used in connection therewith are shewn in
Figures 1, 1*, and 1**.
The channel 10 which connects the space betwen the piston 3 and 4 is, as
already described with reference to the previous system of regulation, filled with a
suitable fluid. The communication between the two cylinders 1 and 2 can either
be formed or broken off by means of the cock 5 or by means of the piston 6
working therein. For this purpose the cock 5 has an opening 7 bored through it,
which in a certain definite position of the same causes communication to be made
without shock between the two cylinders.
In another position of the cock, for instance, in that shewn in the Drawing at
Fig. 1**, the space 8, at the rear of the piston 6, is in connection by means of the
hole 9 with the channel 10 and the negative cylinder. Besides this the two
cylinders in the position of the piston shewn in the Drawing communicate with
each other by means of the holes 11 and a groove 12 turned in the piston.
The piston 6 is connected by means of a link 13 with the longer end 14 of the
above described double lever. The stroke of the piston is fixed by the adjusting
screws 18.
The operation of the lamp is as follows:-
As soon as a sufficiently powerful electric current passes through the coil of the
electro magnet 16 and the carbons (then in contact), the armature 15 adjusted by
the above described arrangement of the spiral spring 17 will be attracted, whereby
the piston 6 by means of the link 13 will be drawn backwards and the holes 11
of the cock will be closed; on the other hand, however, the space 8 at the rear of
the piston is increased, which causes the negative piston to fall and produces the
voltaic arc.
ง
As the carbons are consumed the attractive force of the electro magnet becomes
diminished until the same is overbalanced by the spiral spring, the piston gradually
returns to its original position and the communication between both cylinders by.
means of the groove in the piston is established, whereby the electrodes approach
each other to such an extent that the armature is again attracted and the
communication between the two cylinders is again closed.
The same process is repeated during the entire working.
It should be remarked that the cylinders, together with their electrodes, can be
unscrewed from one lamp-body and screwed into that lamp-body which contains
the desired regulating arrangement, the choice of which depends upon the kind of
motor employed and upon surrounding circumstances, but it will be found that
the regulation by the centrifugal governor is of great advantage in all cases where
the motor changes its speed of rotation with the variation of the illuminating arc.
The cylinders 1 and 2, which in Figures 1, 1*, and 1** are inserted in the lamp
with the electro-magnetic regulation, will, in order to be employed for the governor
regulation, be screwed into the lamp body intended for this kind of regulation,
Figures 2 to 2** inclusive.
When employing this system of rotary governor regulation the most sensitive
motor will (even when a speed regulator is entirely dispensed with) work with
continual regularity because the same amount of work is always presented to the
motor by reason of the equality of the arc, which regularity is attained in
consequence of the very slight differences in the velocity of rotation of the motor
itself.
In this system of regulation the great advantage is also attained that the
carbons are fed forward only to the same extent absolutely as they are consumed,
whilst in other lamps the separation of the carbon points necessary in the first
instance is perceptible as often as the regulation takes place.
The foregoing arrangement of lamps is particularly well adapted, as before stated,

page_text: in consequence of the great sensitiveness of the regulating apparatus, and the disuse
of toothed wheels, couplings, rollers, and escapements for the division of the electric
light. Instead of the spiral spring it will only be necessary to interpose the well
known solenoid or coil, and movable iron core which works in opposition to the
chief electro-magnet.
Fig. 11 shews an arrangement in which the solenoid is used instead of the spiral
spring 17 shewn in Fig. 1*.
It will be understood that similar arrangements (with slight modifications)
can be employed either for direct or alternating currents, but, in the latter case, if
the light is to be kept in one position the two cylinders must be of the same
diameter.
The action of the arrangement shewn in Fig. 11 for the division of the electric
current to lamps is as follows:-
The current passes undivided from L to b, where it divides in inverse proportion
to the resistances and passes into the two electric coils of the solenoid c, d, and
electro magnet M. From the main electro-magnet the current passes over the
carbons, unites with the current from the solenoid a and leads to the second, third,
and other lamps in the series. If the carbon points in any one of the lamps are
not near together the said division does not take place in that lamp and the entire
current passes through the solenoid, whereby its core becomes drawn inwards, and at
the same time the piston will be pressed backwards, in consequence of which the
communication will be opened by means of the groove in the piston. The fluid
flows out of the positive into the negative cylinder and causes the falling of
the positive and rising of the negative electrode in order to bring the carbon
points nearer together, and in the case mentioned to unite them. If this latter has
been effected the current is divided, as described, between both coils; the main
electro magnet having least resistance attracts the armature of the lever, whereby
the magnetic force of the solenoid is overcome and the piston on the one hand
makes the arc through being drawn out, and on the other hand closes the
communication between the cylinders.
Having now set forth the nature of the said Invention of "Improvements in
Electric Lamps," as communicated to me by my foreign correspondents, and having
explained in what manner the same may be carried into effect, I wish it to be
understood that I claim,-
First. The arrangement of mechanism described with reference to Figures
2 to 10* inclusive of the Drawing, whereby the variation in velocity of the
generator, due to the increased or diminished resistance in the circuit, is utilized
as a means for effecting through a centrifugal governor the self regulation of the
electrodes.
Secondly. The adjustable arrangement described with reference to Figures
1 to 1** of the Drawing for effecting magnetically the automatic regulation of the
electrodes.
Thirdly. The arrangement described with reference to Fig. 11 of the Drawing
for magnetically operating the piston by which the regulation of the lamp is
controlled, the said arrangement by the use of a solenoid in lieu of a spiral spring,
as described, being especially applicable to the division of the electric current when
several lamps are to be used in one circuit.
In witness whereof, I, the said Arthur William Lovell Reddie, have hereunto
set my hand and seal, the Twelfth day of October, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.