Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Measuring Electrical Energy.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 2nd Aug., 1890
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Feb., 1891-Accepted, 4th Apr., 1891
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Measuring Electrical
Energy.
We, LUCIEN Alfred WILHELMINE DESRUELLES, and RAPHAEL FENELON
ODILE CHAUVIN, both of 18, Avenue Percier, Paris, France, do hereby declare
the nature of this invention to be as follows :-
Our invention relates to electric meters of the kind or class wherein a voltameter
is employed which is traversed by the electric current to be measured, and in which
the relative position of the electrodes is changed by the electro-deposition due to
the action of the current, the said electrodes serving alternately as anode and
cathode, and such change of position of the electrodes being utilized for effecting
the reversals of the current.
The main object of our said invention is to facilitate the accurate adjustment of
the contact pieces whereby the electric circuit for effecting the reversals of the
current in the voltameter is closed and interrupted, when the movable electrode
arrives at either end of its travel or movement. With the mode of suspension of
the movable electrode heretofore adopted, the movement of the said electrode and
of the arm or lever for effecting the making and breaking of the contact has
necessarily been very limited, more especially in electric meters in which each
reversal of the current in the voltameter represents but a few ampère-hours and the
weight of metal transferred from one clectrode to the other is correspondingly
small. Consequently it is difficult to accurately adjust the contact pieces or
screws, a slight movement of either of the same being equal to a considerable
percentage of the entire travel or movement of the arm or lever for making and
breaking the contact.
Now according to one part of our present invention, we provide for greatly
increasing the movement of the said arm or lever and of the movable electrode.
Our said invention, moreover, comprises other improvements hereinafter
mentioned.
Our present improvements are chiefly designed to improve the construction and
increase the efficiency of apparatus wherein the different operations which the
apparatus has to perform, namely the distribution or commutation of the current,
the interruption of the circuit of the motor or magnet, and the movement of the
mechanism for registering the amount of electrical energy measured by the
apparatus, are effected by mechanism actuated by an electric motor or by one
or more electro-magnets when the circuit of such motor or magnet is completed by
the voltameter, and wherein the rising and falling of the movable electrode is
utilized to complete the circuit of the said electric motor or magnet, which is
included in a shunt from the main line through which flows the current to be
measured.
In carrying our present invention into practice, we employ an arm or lever the
fulcrum of which is at one end thereof, and the other end of which extends between
the adjustable contact pieces, and we connect the said arm or lever, at any con-
venient point between its fulcrum and the said contact pieces, with the movable
electrode in any suitable manner. Moreover, we arrange one or more suitable
springs in combination with this arm or lever so as to form a flexible or elastic
suspension for the said movable electrode.
We find that the following arrangement of flexible or elastic suspension gives
very good results, ci:.-A. horizontal lever is provided at one end with a knife-
edge which engages in a V-shaped recess formed in a block of metal countersunk
in a suitable bracket. At or near its other end, the said lever is provided with an

page_text: eye or loop the interior surface of which is cut away so as to form a knife-edge.
In this ring engages a hook formed on one end of a spiral spring, the other
extremity whereof is provided with another hook which engages with a similar
eye or loop firmly attached to; or.formed on the free end of an arm which is hinged
or jointed to a block of metal arranged to move freely up and down in a suitable
groove in the aforesaid bracket. The said block can be secured in position at any
part of the said groove-by means of a clamping-screw. The said arm is provided
with an adjusting-screw, by means of which it can be moved or adjusted away
from; or towards the said movable. block; so as to vary thier tension of the spring.
The angle formed by the said springwith the lever can be varied by raising or
lowering the said block. On each side of the said. lever, andvat a point thereon
that may be variable, is secured a knife-edge which supports the movable electrode
through the medium of a metal bar or rod having an eye or loop formed on or
attached to its upper end. The free end of the lever extends between the
adjustable contact pieces herein before mentioned, with one or other of which it
forms contact alternately when the movable electrode is diminished or increased in
weight by reason of the transfer of metal from one electrode to the other.
With the above mentioned double system of governing by means of a spiral
spring the tension of which can be varied, and the angle of which with the lever
can also be varied, a very high degree of sensitiveness can be given to the flexible
suspension of the movable clectrode, which will, under these conditions, perform a
considerable movement for a very slight difference in weight. The result is that
the regulation of the adjustable contacts or screws is greatly facilitated and a high
degree of sensitiveness is imparted to the meter, with absolute precision and
accuracy of measurement.
Each electrode preferably consists of a series of metal plates, connected by cross-
pieces of the same metal. The stationary electrode may rest upon the bottom of
the electrolytic cell.
To avoid the sparks which are produced when the contacts between the arm or
lever and the adjustable contact pieces or screws are broken, we provide suitable
means whereby the sparks caused by the breakage of contact will be produced at
other portions of the circuit instead of at the points of contact of the said adjustable
contact pieces or screws and the arm or lever. The suppression of sparking at the
latter points is advantageous, as it avoids deterioration of the extremity of the said
arm or lever and of the adjustable contact pieces or screws, which deterioration
would, after a certain period of working, render the apparatus inoperative. We
thus provide for keeping the contacts always in good condition.
Upon the axis of the commutator is keyed or otherwise secured a suitable disc of
insulating material (ivory for example), in the circumference of which are counter-
sunk two metal sectors, each of which is of a length somewhat less than half the
circumference of the said disc, so that a portion of the surface of the said disc is
left exposed between the said sectors. A pair of brushes is arranged to rub
against the surface of one of the said sectors, whilst one of the brushes of a second
pair rubs against one of the exposed portions of the disc, and the other brush of the
second pair rubs against the other sector.
The motor is in communication through one of its posts with one of the poles of
the principal or main circuit, and two wires leave the second post and are coupled
one to one brush of the first pair and the other to one brush of the second pair.
The other brush of the first pair is connected to one of the adjustable contact
pieces or screws, and the other brush of the second pair is connected to the other of
the said adjustable contact pieces or screws, the latter being thus, in this
arrangement, insulated from each other except when connected as hereinafter
described.
The arm or lever, which participates in the upward and downward movements
of the movable electrode, is in connection with the other pole of the circuit.
When the said arm or lever descends and makes contact with the lower adjust-
able contact piece or screw, the current passes through the motor, the circuit being

page_text: completed through the sector and the first pair of brushes. Ine commutation Demig
performed in the voltameter by the half revolution of the commutator, the sector is
then only in contact with one of the first pair of brushes, and the circuit being
broken, the motor is stopped.
When the reversal takes place in the voltameter and the electrolysis has
proceeded in the contrary manner to that above referred to, the moveable electrode
rises and with it the arm or lever, and, when the latter makes contact with the
upper adjustable contact piece or screw, the second pair of brushes being placed, by
the preceding half revolution of the commutator, in connection with each other
through the medium of the sector, the contact is again established, and the motor
again put in motion, until the sector has left the said brushes. This operation takes
place after each half revolution of the commutator.
It will be seen from the foregoing description that each time the circuit is broken,
the sparks are produced either between one of the first pair of brushes, and the
corresponding sector, or between one of the second pair of brushes and the corre-
sponding sector, instead of between the lever or arm and one or other of the
adjustable contact pieces or screws.
The motor is, in some instances, arranged to impart intermittent rotary movement
to the commutator in one direction. In other instances, it is arranged to produce
For this purpose
an alternative or oscillating movement of the said commutator.
we provide a motor having two coils or solenoids which are placed side by side and
the cores of which are secured to the extremities of a chain passing around a disc
or pulley formed of insulating material and keyed or otherwise firmly secured upon
a prolongation of the shaft of the commutator. The said cores are so arranged that,
when one descends into the corresponding coil, the other will be removed or raised
out of the other coil, and vice verso. The wires forming the said coils or solenoids
The wire of one of
are united at one end and connected to one pole of the circuit.
the said coils is connected at its other end with one of the first pair of brushes, and
If the
the wire of the other coil is connected to one of the second pair of brushes.
arm or lever makes contact with the lower adjustable contact piece or screw,
the current will pass through the wire forming one of the said coils, into which
the corresponding core will then descend and, though the said chain, will cause the
.other core to risc. The said chain being secured to the said disc or pulley causes
it to partially rotate and with it also the commutator, the latter being moved
through a sufficient angle to ensure the reversal of the current in the voltameter.
At the same time, the sector having ceased to unite the first pair of brushes, the
current also ceases to circulate in the said coil.
When, in consequence of the reversal produced in the voltameter, the movable
electrode has again risen, and the arm or lever has consequently made contact with
the upper adjustable contact piece, the current passes through the wire of the other
coil, and the corresponding core consequently descends into the said coil, drawing
with it the said chain and partially rotating the commutator in the reverse direction,
thus causing another reversal of the voltameter.
This alternating action takes place each time the rod or lever forms contact with
one or other of the said adjustable contact pieces or screws.
Suitable means are provided whereby the oscillating movement of the commutator-
shaft will cause the indicator dials to rotate in one direction so as to correctly register
the electric current flowing through the meter.
We sometimes add to the electrolytic solution, a suitable quantity of sulphate of
protoxide of mercury, which, although it is insoluble, is decomposed during the
electrolysis; and during this operation, the metallic mercury, which is liberated by
the decomposition of the sulphate, is carried to the electrodes and amalgamates with
the. metal removed by the electrolysis from one electrode to the other.
sulphate of protoxide of mercury is added to the electrolyte, the electrodes need not
be previously amalgamated.
When
Our improved apparatus is so arranged that the whole of the current to be
measured must pass through the said voltameter, and so that the direction of the

page_text: current through the voltameter can be reversed without reversing the current in the
main line.
Dated this Second day of Anoust 1890
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicants.
Improvements in and relating to Apparatus for Measuring Electrical
Energy.
We, LUCIEN ALFRED WILHELMINE DESRUELLES and RAPHAEL FENELON
ODILE CHAUVIN, both of 18bis, Avenue Percier, Paris, France, 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 :-
Our invention relates to an electric meter which is traversed by the whole of the
electric current to be measured, and in which one of the electrodes is movable and
so arranged that the relative position of the electrodes is changed by the electro-
deposition due to the action of the current, the said electrodes serving alternately
as anode and cathode, such change of position, of the movable electrode being
utilized for effecting the reversals of the current through the said meter.
In such an electric meter, the movable electrode has a reciprocating movement,
due to its, varying weight and mode of suspension, and this movement is utilized
for making alternate and brief contact with suitable points whereby a shunt circuit,
in which is arranged an electric motor, is closed and interrupted at intervals. The
said motor is arranged to actuate a commutator in such a manner that the current
through the meter is reversed each time the aforesaid shunt circuit is closed and
consequently the electro deposition of metal takes place first on one electrode and
then on the other. Moreover the rotation of the commutator is utilized to interrupt.
the current in the shunt circuit, and for effecting the movement of the registering
apparatus.
Our present improvements are designed to improve the construction and increase
the efficiency of the apparatus for performing the different operations required,
namely the distribution or commutation of the current, the interruption of the circuit.
of the motor or magnet, and the movement of the imechanism for registering the
amount of electrical energy measured by the apparatus.
The main object of our present invention is to facilitate the accurate adjustment
of the contact pieces whereby the electric circuit for effecting the reversals of the
current in the meter is closed and interrupted by the arrival of the movable electrode
at either end of its travel or movement. In a meter of this class the movement of
the said electrode and of the arm or lever for effecting the making and breaking of
the contact is ordinarily very limited more especially in electric meters in which
each reversal of the current in the meter represents but a few ampere-hours, and
the weight of metal transferred from one electrode to the other is correspondingly
small. Consequently it is difficult to accurately adjust the contact pieces or screws,
a slight movement of either of the same being equal to a considerable percentage
of the entire travel of movement of the arm or lever for making and breaking the
contact.
Now according to one part of our present invention, we provide for greatly
increasing the movement of the said arm or lever and of the movable electrode.
Our said invention moreover comprises other improvements hereinafter set
forth.
In the accompanying drawings we have shown how our said invention may be
conveniently and advantageously carried into practice.

page_text: Figure 1 is a front elevation, a portion of the recording apparatus being removed,
of an electric meter constructed according to our said invention, and
Figure 2 is a plan of the same the recording apparatus being removed.
Figure 3 is a vertical section on the line a Figure 2.
Figure 4 is a side elevation of our improved device for suspending the movable
electrode, and
Figure 5 is a rear elevation of a pair of solenoids employed for reversing the
current through the meter.
Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings.
A is the cell of the voltameter constructed of sandstone, glass, earthenware or
other suitable material, on the cover B of which is mounted the measuring and
recording mechanism. C is a commutator for reversing the current through the
meter, and C1 C2 C3 C4 are the contact brushes of the said commutator one being
connected to the fixed electrode, and another through a mercury dish C to the
movable electrode, while the remaining two are connected to the main circuit
through which the current to be measured passes. In one position of the said
commutator the current passes through the meter in a certain direction say from
the fixed to the movable electrode and in the other position of the commutator, the
current passes through the meter in the reverse direction .e. from the movable to
the fixed electrode. Coupled to the rear end of the commutator shaft is a motor D
hereinafter described for actuating the same.
Each electrode preferably consists of a series of metal plates, connected by cross
pieces of the same metal, and the stationary electrode may rest upon the bottom of
the electrolytic cell. The plates of one series alternate with those of the other
series.
For suspending the movable electrode we employ an arm or lever a provided at
one end with a knife-edge which engages in a V-shaped recess b' formed in a block
of metal 2 countersunk in a suitable bracket c attached to the frame of the meter.
At or near its other end, the said lever a is provided with an eye or loop a the
interior surface of which has a knife-edge. In this eye engages a hook formed on
one end of a spiral spring d, the other extremity whereof is also provided with a
hook which engages with a similar eye or loop el firmly attached to, or formed on
the free end of an arme which is hinged or jointed at e² to a block of metal f.
arranged to move freely up and down in a slot or aperture ¹ in the aforesaid
bracket c. The block can be secured in position at any part of the said slot e
by means of a clamping screw and nut g. The arm e is provided with an adjusting
screw by means of which it can be moved or adjusted away from or towards the
said movable block, so as to vary the tension of the spring. The angle formed
by the said spring with the lever can also be varied by raising or lowering the
block. On each side of the said lever and at a point thereon that may be variable
is secured a knife-edge a² which supports the movable electrode through the medium
of a metal bar or rod having an eye, loop or piece having a V-shaped recess
formed on or attached to its upper end. The free end of the lever a extends
between two adjustable contact pieces with one or other of which it forms contact
alternately when the movable electrode is diminished or increased in weight by
reason of the transfer of metal from one electrode to the other.
With the above described method of suspending the movable electrode, that is to
say, by the employinent of a lever and a spiral spring, the tension of which can be
regulated, and the angle of which with the lever can be varied, a very high degree
of sensitiveness can be attained and the movable electrode, will, under these con-
ditions perform a considerable movement for a very slight difference in weight.
The result is that the accurate regulation of the adjustable contacts or screws is
greatly facilitated and a high degree of sensitiveness is imparted to the meter with
absolute precision and accuracy of measurement.
To avoid sparking when the contacts between the arm or lever a and the aforesaid
adjustable contact pieces or screws are broken we provide suitable means whereby
any sparks caused by the breakage of contact will be produced at other points in

page_text: '
'
1
the circuit. instead of at the aforesaid, points of contact. We thus prevent the
deterioration of the surfaces of the extremity of the said arm or lever and of the
adjustable contact pieces or screws,which deterioration would, after a certain period
of working, render the apparatus inoperative and wethereby provide for keeping
the contacts always.in good condition."
For this purpose we secure upon the axis of the commutator, by means of a
key or otherwise, a disc n of insulating material (ivory for example) in the circum-
ference of which are fixed on opposite sides thereof two metal sectors n' n² each of
which is of a length somewhat less than half the circumference of the said disc, so
that a portion of the surface of the said disc is left exposed between the said
sectors. A pair of contact-brushes is provided on each side of the said disc nand
the arrangement is such that the disc. n can be turned to cause either. of its
sectors ²² to be in contact with one pair of brushes while the other sector is in
contact with one only of the other pair of brushes, the remaining brush of this pair
being in contact with the exposed non-conducting portion of the disc. ³n indicate
one pair of contact brushes and the other pair. D is a motor for actuating
the commutator and reversing the current passing through the voltameter. p.pl are
the contact points between which the armi a works. To ensure good contacts and the
immediate closing, and interruption of the current we provide the contact pieces
with electro magnets p² the coils of which are so arranged that each magnet will
he included in the circuit which is completed by the contact of the lever a with
either point p or pl which circuit will be immediately broken so that the magnetism
exists only momentarily in the coil.
The motor D is arranged. to produce an alternately or oscillating movement of
the commutator. For this purpose we provide two coils or solenoids qq Figure 5:
which are placed side by side. The cores of these solenoids are secured to the
. extremities of a chains passing around or over and secured to a pulley formed of
insulating material and keyed or otherwise firmly secured upon a prolongation of
the shaft of the commutator. The said cores are so arranged that, when one
descends into the corresponding coil the other will be drawn or raised out of the
other coil by means of the chain s. In any case the motor is in a shunt from the
main circuit through the meter. The wires forming the said coils or solenoids are
1.united at one end as shown at s' * and connected to one pole of the circuit the current
in which is to be measured. The other ends of the wires of the said coils are
connected the one with one of the first pair of brushes and the other with one
of the second pair of brushes nn. The other brushes in the said pairs of brushes
are connected the one to one of the adjustable contact pieces pp and the other to
the other of the said adjustable contact pieces.
The arm or lever a which participates in the upward and downward movements
of the movable electrode is connected with the other pole of the circuit.
When the arm or lever a makes contact with the lower adjustable contact piece
or screw. the current will pass through one of the said coils, the core of which
..will then descend, and through the chains will cause the other core to rise. The
chains being secured to the disc or pulley t the latter is caused to partially rotate,
and with it the commutator, the latter being moved through a sufficient angle to
ensure the reversal of the current in, the meter. At the same time the sector n¹
having ceased to connect the first pair. of .brushes ³ ³ the current also ceases to
circulate in the said coil.
When in consequence of the reversal of the voltaic action of the. meter, the
movable electrode has again risen, and the arm or lever a has consequently made
contact with the upper, adjustable contact piece p₁ the current passes through the
other coil and the corresponding core consequently descends into the said coil,
drawing with it the chain and partially rotating the commutator in. the. reverse
direction thus causing another reversal of the current relatively to the meter
through which it passes.
This alternating action takes place each time the arm or lever a forms
contact with one or other of the said adjustable contact pieces or screws pp¹.

page_text: It will be seen from the foregoing description that each time the circuit is.
broken, sparks are produced either between one of the first pair of brushes and the
corresponding sector, or between one of the second pair of brushes and the corrc-
sponding sector, instead of between the lever or arm a and one or other of the
adjustable contact pieces or screws p p¹.
Suitable means are provided whereby the oscillating movement of the commutator
shaft will cause the indicator dials to rotate in one direction so as to correctly
register the electric current flowing through the meter. We prefer to use for this.
purpose the ratchet apparatus shown in Figures 1 and 2.
On the commutator shaft we secure a crank arm to which are pivoted two
arms having side projecting pins which engage with the teeth of a.
ratchet wheel mounted on the spindle of the units wheel of the recording
mechanism. The pin of the arm engages with the upper side of the wheel A.
and rests on the said wheel, while the pin k of the arm engages with the lower
side of the said ratchet wheel and is maintained in contact therewith by reason
of the arm 3 having a tail piece which overbalances the forward end of the
lever. It is obvious that a movement of the crank arm & in one direction acts.
through one pivoted arm and causes a partial rotation of the ratchet wheel, while
a movement in the opposite direction acts through the other pivoted arm and
causes a further partial rotation of the ratchet wheel. It is thus seen that the
oscillatory notion of the crank arm is transformed into an intermittent rotary
movement of the ratchet wheel and consequently of the units disc of the
recording or counting mechanism. The counting mechanism is provided with
any desired number of discs and is constructed in any well known or suitable.
manner.
In some instances we provide a motor which is arranged to impart intermittent
rotary movement to the commutator in one direction. In this case the motor is
connected through one of its posts with one pole of the circuit the current in which
is to be measured, and two wires leave the second post and are connected one to
the brush 3 of the first pair, and the other to the brush n of the second pair of
contact brushes. The brush is connected to one of the adjustable contact pieces
or screws, and the brush is connected to the other of the said adjustable contact
pieces or screws.
When the said arm or lever a descends and makes contact with the lower
adjustable contact piece or screw the motor or shunt circuit is completed through
the sector and the first pair of brushes and ', the commutation being then
effected by the half-revolution of the commutator. The sector is then only in
contact with one brush of the first pair and the circuit being broken, the motor is
stopped.
When the reversal takes place in the meter and the electrolysis proceeds in the
contrary direction to that above referred to, the movable electrode rises, and with
it the arm or lever a. The latter then makes contact with the upper adjustable
contact piece or screw pand the second pair of brushes n³n having been placed,
by the preceding half revolution of the commutator, in connection with each other
through the medium of the sector n the contact is again established and the motor
again put in motion, until the sector has left one of the said brushes. This
operation takes place with each half revolution of the commutator.
We sometimes add to the electrolytic solution a suitable quantity of sulphate of
protoxide of mercury, which, although insoluble is decomposed during the electrolysis;
and during the operation the metallic mercury which is liberated by the decom-
position of the sulphate is carried to the electrodes and amalgamates with the
inetal removed by the electrolysis from one electrode to the other. When sulphate
of protoxide of mercury is added to the electrolyte, the electrodes need not be
previously amalgamated.
It will be seen that our improved apparatus affords the means whereby the whole.
of the current to be measured can pass through the meter and the direction of the.

page_text: current through the meter can be reversed without reversing the current in the
main circuit.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, we declare that we claim,
in an electric meter :-
First. The combination with a movable electrode, of the herein described device
for suspending the same (consisting of the spring-controlled lever and means for
regulating its operation) substantially as and for the purposes herein specified.
Second. The combination of the said lever with contact pins provided with
electro-magnets in a shunt circuit which also includes a pair of solenoids in branches
of the shunt and a circuit breaker and closer all so arranged that at the termination
of each upward and downward movement of the lever there is a momentary good
contact of the end of the lever with one of the contact pins substantially as and for
the purpose specified.
Third. The combination as above described with the movable electrode, the
suspending lever and the commutator of a pair of solenoids or magnets for operating
by an alternating movement the commutator to reverse the main current through
the meter.
Fourth. The employment of a pair of solenoids arranged in combination with
the commutator the circuit breaker and the ratchet apparatus and operated in the
manner described by the current in a shunt from the main circuit in the meter for
the purpose specified.
Fifth. In an electric meter working by electrolytic action the arrangement herein
described for preventing sparking between the contact points through which the
current which works the mechanism passes at the end of each stroke.
Sixth. An electric meter constructed substantially as herein described with
reference to the accompanying drawings and operating as set forth.
Seventh. In an electric meter working by electrolytic action the use of sulphate
of protoxide of mercury in the electrolyte for the purposes specified.
Datad this 2nd day of Wohera 1801
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C., Agents for the Applicants.