Improvements in and in Apparatus for Producing Electric Light.
Year: 1895

page_text: Date of Application, 15th Oct., 1895-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1896
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and in Apparatus for Producing Electric Light.
A communication from abroad by THE MOORE ELECTRICAL COMPANY, of the
City of New York, County and State of New York, United States of
America.
I, WILLIAM LLOYD WISE, of 46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, in the County of
London, Consulting Engineer and Chartered Patent Agent, 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 consists of a novel method of and apparatus for electric
lighting.
It has lately been proposed to produce light by incandescence of conductors in a
highly rarefied receiver subjected to the action of electric currents of enormous
frequency and excessively high potential.
At an earlier stage of the art others employed electric energy of considerable
potential acting upon a rarefied gas or vapor, rarefied to the degree best suited to
exhibiting luminous effects under the action of the electric vibrations or undulatory
disturbances conveyed to it through conductors connected with the secondary of
the induction coil.
The invention does not depend upon an excessively high electric stress or
potential. In fact so far as potential is concerned experiment seems to indicate
that the disturbances generated in my system, as indicated by the length of spark
in dry air, do not necessarily have as great a potential as that employed heretofore
in efforts to produce luminous effects by electric energy derived from induction
coils, Leyden jars, &c. wherein the attempt was to get a high potential with
the idea that the higher the potential the greater the intensity of the light
produced.
The present invention consists essentially in generating electric waves or vibrations
suitable for producing luminous effects by interrupting the flow of electric current
or currents through a circuit of induction in a high vacuum as contradistinguished
from a partial vacuum or one in which the rarefaction has not been carried beyond
the point suitable for exhibiting luminous effects. The current or currents may be
derived from any suitable source and be continuous, intermittent, pulsating or
alternating as may be desired. The electric waves or vibrations so generated are
made to produce luminous effects in any of the ways known in the art, but
preferably by action in or upon a receiver containing a rarefied gas or vapor
rarefied to such degree that the whole body of contained gas or vapor will be
rendered luminous as well understood in the art.
The interruptions are preferably produced, however, in a vacuum or vacuous
space in which the exhaustion is carried as far as possible beyond the degree of
rarefaction suitable for producing luminous effects so as to produce as nearly as
possible an absolute vacuum, the luminous effects of the generated electric waves
or disturbances being produced in another light giving source consisting preferably
of a receiver wherein the proper degree of rarefaction for producing light effects
exists, such waves or distubances being conveyed thereto through suitable electric
conductors or made to operate thereon inductively or conductively, as may be
found desirable. By interrupting the circuit, in an absolute or nearly as possible
absolute vacuum, cach interruption of the continuity of the circuit at the interrupter
therein results in the sudden or instantaneous interposition of what may in effect.

page_text: be regarded as an infinite resistance, and one part of the invention consists in
generating electric disturbances or vibrations for producing luminous effects in a
rarefied gas or vapor or any other suitable light giving source by intermittent and
sudden interpositions of the infinite electric resistance of an absolute vacuum in a
circuit of induction supplied with current from any suitable source.
By circuit of induction I mean any circuit in which electric current flows and
which is adapted by its self-induction or by its induction upon a parallel circuit to
generate an electro-motive force of somewhat higher electro-motive force than that
of the current flowing upon sudden interruption of the flow of the latter, but
1 prefer to use the electro-motive force of self-induction of the circuit as
generated in a coil instead of using a secondary coil as I find with a self-inductive
coil of very small size the whole body of rarefied gas or vapor in a receiver
exhausted to the proper degree as well understood in the art inay be rendered
luminous. Where, however, it is desired to use a small prime generator of very
low electro-motive force and very small coils, a secondary coil may be used to get
the desired potential but even then the length of coil which it is necessary to use
is much less than that heretofore employed in rendering rarefied receivers luminous,
when even the very best form of coil and circuit breaker are employed.
The sudden or instantaneous electro-motive forces or disturbances thus generated
by the interruption of current flow in a vacuum are conducted in any suitable way
by electric conductors to the field in which the luminous effects are to be generated
and there inductively or conductively applied. When a self-induction coil is
employed the conductors which convey away the electric currents or vibrations
are simply connected in shunt to the coil or terminals thereof in the well
understood way.
It will of course be understood that the waves of energy developed by the
sudden interruptions above described of the circuit of induction may undergo any
desired transformation or transformations before application to the light giving
Bource.
When the interrupter works in an absolute vacuum the break of circuit is
necessarily very abrupt since owing to the difficulty or inability of the current to
flow through a high vacuum a complete interruption of current flow is necessarily
established just 60 soon ns mechanical contact ceases. In other words the
interruption is instantaneously complete and the rate of change of electric condition
in the circuit of the generator is correspondingly rapid, Moreover when the
interruptions are produced in the circuit of a coil the extra current of which is
conveyed by branch or shunt wires to the lamp, it will be obvious that the vacuum
is of service in cutting off the flow of such high potential currents across the
break. It is, therefore, desirable to make the vacuum as high as possible when
the lamp consists of a receiver containing a rarefied gas or vapor or in other
words to make the degree of rarefaction of the latter low as compared with that
of the interrupter both for luminous effects and to avoid shunting of the extra
current across the break in the interrupter.
In general, therefore, I prefer to make the vacuum in which the interrupter
works as high as possible and especially when the lamp circuit is of high resistance,
but I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to any particular degree of
exhaustion of the space in which the interrupter works provided the exhaustion is
carried beyond what is known as a "
partial vacuum in which a blue light
immediately surrounding the metal portions of a hammer or interrupter of an
induction coil placed under a ball glass receiver may be produced. The degree of
exhaustion which herein term a "high as contradistinguished from a low or
partial vacuum cannot be mathematically expressed but is best explained by
reference to the fact stated by previous experiments that the degree of exhaustion
best suited to the rendering a body of inrefied air luminous is about 1pban of
an atmosphere which is far beyond what exists in any partial vacuum maintainable
under a ball jar and that the "high vacuum which I employ is even greater than
that best adapted for luminous effects and resides in the further degree of
"
"

page_text: exhaustion in which such luminous effects as have been heretofore produced in the
whole body of a rarefied gas or vapor disappear.
I am not able with exactness to state to what the superior effects produced by
breaking the circuit in the manner above described are attributable but I believe
them to be due to the fact that the abruptness of the change contributes to the
production of rapid magnetic oscillations resulting in oscillatory electric currents
or discharges of high frequency, the frequency of which is aided by the relatively
small self-induction of the coil which it is permissible to use as compared with that
of the secondary of induction coils having the length of winding heretofore
necessary to employ.
It may also be that the shortness of the time required to effect the break of
circuit aids in attaining the result by giving a longer period in which oscillations
may take place before circuit is re-established.
In
Another part of the invention relates to a receiver in which light effects are
produced by the electric disturbances or variations of electric energy generated as
hereinbefore described. It is possible to produce the effects by the use of a
receiver having metal electrodes within it but the disintegration of the latter
renders the use of them objectionable. I find, moreover, that by the improved
receiver now to be described I can generally obtain higher luminous effects.
the improved receiver no interior electrodes are employed and it is unnecessary
therefore to have any metallic connection passing through the walls of the receiver.
Preferably use exterior electrodes consisting of some metallic or conducting
paint applied directly to the surface of the bulb or receiver in any suitable manner
and directly connected by conductors with a source of energy suitable for rendering
the rarefied interior Inminous.
The invention consists further in the combination broadly of a self-induction coil
in the circuit of a suitable generator, a circuit interrupter for producing rapid
interruptions of said circuit in a vacuum of any desired degree of exhaustion, and
a lamp or other translating device operated by the electric currents or disturbances
thereby generated in said coil and for that purpose connected as a shunt or branch
to the same.
In the accompanying drawings; I have shown in general diagram, in Fig. 1, one
form of apparatus suitable for carrying out the invention.
Fig. 2, illustrates a modification in the electric connections of the circuit of
induction with the lamps.
Fig. 3, shows a modified form of interrupter.
Fig. 3, shows a side view thereof.
Fig. 4, illustrates that modification of the invention which consists in the use of
a secondary coil connected to the electric lamp.
Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, show modified arrangements of circuits and circuit breakers
together with a self-induction branch around cach lamp and a lamp with terminals
located within.
A, is any generator of electricity, either continuous, alternating or varying,
adapted to supply a current to a circuit 5, of self-induction. This circuit contains
the coil C, wound upon a core of magnetic material to intensify the reactive
effects produced by interruption of the circuit 5. This core is preferably well
subdivided.
D, is a receiver or bulb within which is a vacuous space exhausted to the highest
degree practicable to produce as nearly as may be a perfect vacuum and containing
an interrupter of the circuit 5. This interrupter may be of any desired kind and
may vibrate or have other motion as found most expedient, and may be obtained in
any desired manner. Good effects are obtained, however, by operating this
vibrator or interrupter by means of an electro-magnet in the circuit which is
interrupted at each movement. of the vibrating portion of the device said
interrupter having a bias which tends to re-establish the circuit as well understood
in the art.
I obtain good results also by using as the operating magnet the coil of

page_text: self-induction in which the electric waves or disturbances are generated by
interruption of circuit 5.
F, is an insulated contact with which the vibrating spring G, carrying an
armature H, for electro-magnet C, makes connection, the circuit 5, being carried
through the parts after the manner of any rheotome.
The bulb D, is conveniently made of glass and has the conductors carrying the
current on circuit 5, sealed in it.
6, is a circuit by which the energy developed in the coil C, by interruption of
the circuit, may be conveyed away in a branch around said coil for operation upon
the receiver R. This receiver may be in the form of a tube, as shown, made of
glass, and may take any desired form as for instance the form of a letter of the
alphabet for advertising purposes. It is made of glass aut contains a rarefied gas
or vapor of any desired character which may be varied to produce different
colors as well understood in the art. This tube or receiver in the form shown in
Figs. 1, 3 and 4, is devoid of interior electrodes but is provided with exterior
electrodes S, S'. These may be in the form of bands or rings to which wires 6, are
directly connected. It is desirable that the metal electrodes should be in intimato
contact or union with the glass of the bulb or tube. Superior results are obtained
by using conducting paint. It is also found that the electrodes S, S', do not
require to be of the same size which will give the highest luminosity to the rarefied
gas or vapor, the size of the other electrode S', may be largely reduced in area
thus exposing a larger volume of the luminous vapor for giving light. In other
words while it is necessary to use a certain area of electrode for S, to get the best
effect, the other St, does not have to be so great. Good results may be obtained
if it be no more than one-third the size of S. A number of electrodes applied to
the tube at intervals may be employed thus making it possible to use a very long
tube and yet obtain a uniform luminosity. It is advantageous not to make these
rings or bands too narrow. 1 is advantageous also to construct the coil C. with
special reference to the potential of a generator A. With a generator of 110 volts
good results are obtained by using No. 30 wire wound upon a inch core which is
preferably made rather short. With a 110 volt circuit a number of turns say 3000
sufficient to give approximately a resistance of 90 ohms in the coil will give good
results when the length of coil is say two inches. This applies to the form of
lamp shown in Fig. 1.
In practice it will be found that the adjustment of the coil or magnet C, which
operates the interrupter to and from the armature of the interrupter will affect the
degree of luminosity produced. The best degree can be obtained by trial which
seems to be due to the fact that the vibration of the interrupter is changed in a
way to permit the fullest charging of the circuit of self-induction and ench
closure of circuit thereby securing the best and strongest reactive effects at
interruption.
Another form of lamp is shown in Figs. 2, 5, 6, 7 and 8, consisting of a sealed
bulb of glass into which circuit wires 2 and 3, enter and terminate within the bulb
as a ring a, preferably of aluminum, forming a terminal of wire 2, and a helix or
spiral connected to wire 3. These are electrodes suitable for use when the
energy for operating the lamp is developed by interruptions of a continuous current
in the circuit of self-induction connected as herein described. When an alternating
current is used the terminals should be similar.
In the arrangement of circuits shown in Fig. 1, it will be seen that the electric
waves or disturbances induced at ench interruption by the circuit breaker or
interrupter, flow in a circuit independent of the generator A, and I find in practice
that the best results are obtained by this arrangement.
Fig. 2, however, represents another arrangement in which the waves or
disturbances produced by the interruption of the circuit of induction must flow
through the generator. The diagram explains itself.
When a lamp having interior electrodes is employed with an arrangement such
as shown in Fig. 1, experiments seem to indicate that a lower resistance coil C, say

page_text: as low as 50 ohms, in the circuit of the generator A, will produce better results.
though there are many conditions affecting the degree of luminosity of which it is
difficult to take necount and I only state quantities herein as approximating those
which experiments seem to indicate will give the best results. It is of course to-
be understood that with a change in the potential of the generator a corresponding
change in the winding and proportioning of the reactive portion of the circuit
would be made.
With such an arrangement as shown in Fig. 1, very superior luminous effects.
can be obtained and without the use of the cumbersome dynamo machines, induction,
coils, condensers, &c. which have heretofore been used in this art for producing
currents of enormous frequency and excessively high potential.
It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the use of a vibrating
interrupter working in the vacuum. Thus, as indicated in Figs. 3, 34 and 6, a.
rotary interrupter may be employed. In this case the interrupting portions are, as.
before, closed in an exhausted bulb D, and rotation is effected preferably by some
exterior device. In the form shown the rotation is effected by the action of a.
motor magnet exterior to the bulb, the circuit interrupter for the circuit of
induction operating as a commutator therefor. is the interrupter spring
engaging with contact wheel o, mounted upon a rotary shaft n, suitably supported
within the bulb. The electro-magnet B, outside the bulb is in the circuit of
the generator C, which circuit includes the bearing of shaft n, the wheel o, and
the spring, as indicated. The magnet B', is placed in proper relation to the
armatures i, carried by shaft n, to attract the same and give rotation to the shaft,
the circuit being broken by the interrupter as each armature approaches the pole
of the magnet and the momentum carrying the shaft around to make circuit again..
As in the case of Fig. 1, the extra currents or electric waves or disturbances
generated in the coils B1, by the interruptions of circuit within the vacuous space,
produces the luminous effects preferably by circulating over wires or conductors
independent of the generator C, to the bulb after the same manner as indicated in.
Fig. 1.
It will be observed that in the form of interrupter herein shown the circuit breaking
parts alone are placed in the exhausted receiver and the magnets or other devices.
for operating the same are exterior to the said receiver. This is important as-
reducing to a minimum the presence of parts within the receiver from which the
occluded gases may escape to gradually impair the vacuum.
In Fig. 4, of the accompanying drawings, is indicated diagrammatically that
modification of the invention which consists in the use of a secondary circuit.
parallel to the circuits of induction whereby the electric waves or disturbances are
transformed and if desired may be raised in potential. It will be understood that
in this case the interrupter works in a high vacuum as contradistinguished from a.
low vacuum that is to say the exhaustion is carried not only beyond the degree at
which a luminous haze may appear at or around the metal points within the.
vacuous space but also beyond that higher degree of exhaustion in which the whole
body of rarefied gas or vapor may be made luminous. These transformed and
intensified waves or disturbances may be used for producing the light, but in this
case it will be found that owing to the vigor of the disturbances which may be
produced by the absolute and instantaneous interruption of the primary circuit of
induction, the luminous effects may be obtained by the use of a secondary coil far
less in length than has heretofore been employed for similar purposes.
Figs. 5, 7 and 8, exemplify how a number of lamps may be operated by a single.
interrupter or series of interrupters common to said lamps and also an arrange-
ment of self-induction coils I, or similar reactive devices across the terminals of the
lamps whereby the electric waves or disturbances may be reinforced.
In Fig. 5, is illustrated the way in which two interrupters may act in conjunction
and the waves or disturbances generated in their actuating magnets C, may be
conducted in common to the circuit 6, for operation upon the lamps. Each.

page_text: interrupter and its magnet are connected to the circuit in substantially the same
way as that shown in Fig. 8, as will be obvious from inspection of the diagram.
In Fig. 7, I have shown another arrangement of the vibrater magnet and the
coils 1, in shunt around the lamps are omitted. The maguet C, in Fig. 4, is in the
main circuit, as is obvious, and the waves or disturbances of self induction
generated by interruption of the current flow through it circulate through the
generator A, to and from the mains 6, for action upon the lamps R.
In the arrangement shown in Fig. 8, the circuit of induction which is interrupted
and which discharges to the lamps is that of the generator alone. Although the
magnet C, is in the circuit when the current flows yet it is in such position that
upon interruption of that circuit its path of discharge is broken leaving the self-
induction of the generator A, as the only effective agent for the production of the
waves or disturbances suitable for acting on the lamps.
Other forms of circuit interrupting devices will readily occur to those skilled in
the art as applicable to the purposes of my invention.
By the term mechanical interrupter as claimed herein, I mean any device acting
by make and break of mechanical contact between two bodies of conducting material.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed 1 declare that what 1
claim is :-
1. The herein described improvement in producing light by electricity, consisting
in causing repeated absolute interruptions of a circuit of induction by sudden
interpositions of an infinite resistance substantially such as described and utilizing
the electric waves or disturbances so generated to produce luminous effects.
2. The herein described improvement in the art of electric lighting, consisting in
setting up electric waves or pulsations by repeatedly interrupting electrically or
mechanically a circuit of induction in a high as contradistinguished from a partial
vacuum, as described, and utilizing the electric energy so generated to produce
luminous effects.
3. As a means for developing electric energy suitable for producing luminous
effects, a circuit interrupter connected with a source of electricity and operating in
a vacuous space exhausted as described beyond the degree at which the contained
body of rarefied air or gas may be rendered luminous.
4. The combination with a self-inductive coil, of a circuit interrupter therefor
either of a rotary or vibrating sort working in a high vacuum, and a shunt to said
coil leading to translating devices such as lamps containing a rarefied gas or vapor.
5. The combination of a circuit of induction containing a current generator and
interrupter working in a high vacuum, and a lamp consisting of a receiver
containing a rarefied gas or vapor and provided with electrodes external to such
receiver or both internal and consisting, one of a convoluted conductor and the
other of a ring encircling the base of the convoluted conductor.
6. The combination with a number of electric lamps each consisting essentially
of a rarefied receiver adapted to be rendered luminous hy electric undulations or
disturbances, of a generator in a circuit common to such lamps, a shunt or branch
of self-induction around each lamp, and means for rapidly interrupting the current
of said generator, as and for the purpose described.
7. The method of producing luminous effects, consisting in converting a current
of low potential into one of, high potential by rapidly and repeatedly interrupting
the low potential circuit in its passage through a self-inductive resistance, and
passing the former current through a Geissler tube thereby producing light within
the tube.
W. LLOYD WISE,
46 Lincoln's Inn Fields, London, W.C., Chartered Patent Agent.