Improvements in or connected with Electric Arc-lamps.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 5th Jan., 1891
Complete Specification Left, 26th Aug., 1891-Accepted, 7th Nov., 1991
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Arc-lamps.
I, LUCIEN BRIANNE, of 20, Rue d'Angoulême, Paris, in the Republic of
France, Electrical Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be
as follows:-
My invention relates mainly to regulating mechanism for electric arc-lamps.
In carrying out my invention 1 employ a solenoid of fine wire mounted in
derivation, the armature of which is mounted on a spindle integral with a rack or
portion of a toothed pinion. This rack operates, by means of gearing, a toothed
fly-wheel, the arbor of which supports the upper carbon-holder. The armature,
which is movable upon its horizontal spindle, by its weight causes the rack to gear
with the fly-wheel and consequently raise the upper carbon holder thereby producing
the arc.
In proportion as the carbons are consumed the arc, and with it its
resistance, increasing, the solenoid acts and raises its armature up to the point
where the last tooth of the rack becomes disengaged from the fly-wheel and by
allowing its rotation under the weight of the upper carbon admits of its being fed,
whereby the normal distance apart of the carbons is maintained and the arc thus
regulated. The carbon-holders are adapted to clamp the carbons under the action
of an eccentric.
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1001
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in or connected with Electric Arc-lamps.
I, LUCIEN BRIANNE, of 20, Rue d'Angoulême, Paris, in the Republic of France,
Electrical Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates mainly to regulating mechanism for electric arc-lamps and
is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which :—
Figure 1 is a side elevation:
Figure 2 is a front elevation; and,
Figure 3 is a plan of a regulating mechanism for electric arc-lamps constructed
according to my invention :
Figure 4 is a detail view of the lower carbon-holder:
Figure 5 is a side elevation of Figure 4.
The advantages resulting from my improvements are great simplicity and
durability combined with a degree of sensitiveness which adapts it for working
under any conditions with either continuous or alternating currents.
In carrying out my invention 1 construct the regulator of two cast iron or copper
plates between which are fitted the parts of the apparatus; one pole is connected
to the frame of the apparatus and the other to the lower carbon-holder which is
insulated from the other parts of the apparatus; a rack A (Figures 1 and 2) carrying
the upper carbon gears with a pinion E, on the arbor B of which is a toothed fly-
wheel; above this pinion is an arbor G carrying a brass lever H fixed to an iron
armature J. On the arbor G is keyed a toothed sector P which can engage or
disengage the fly-wheel F and impart movement thereto or leave it free, according
to whether the armature J is leaving the solenoid coil K or is returning thereto.
017

page_text: The solenoid K is formed of fine wire mounted in derivation upon the terminals
through which the electric current enters and quits. I can also provide a place
on this coil for winding a coarse wire traversed by the main current and utilize
the result as differential or auxiliary action.
The theoretical form of this solenoid and of its armature is circular; facility of
construction alone has brought about the particular form of these parts. This
circular form has for object to utilize the entire play of the armature and
consequently, by reducing it by means of levers, to increase its power of action on
the rack.
The operation of the apparatus is as follows:-Suppose it to be at rest, as shewn
in the drawing, the armature J, Figures 1 and 2. not being subjected to any
influence has been drawn by its weight outside the coil as far as the stop-screw L.
In this movement it has caused the toothed sector P, which is fixed to the same
arbor to engage the fly-wheel F and impart a rotary movenient to it in the direc-
tion of the hands of a watch, as shewn by the arrow a. This rotary movement of the
fly-wheel F has been transmitted through its common arbor to the pinion E which,
by this means, has raised the rack A to a certain extent. (The upper carbon has thus
been moved to the necessary distance for lighting). When the current flows, the
carbons not touching, there is no outlet for it except through the solenoid K of fine
wire of great resistance which it renders active. The armature J is quickly
attracted and completely enters the coil firmly drawing along the toothed sector P.
This latter disengages the fly-wheel F which becomes free and allows the rack to
draw it along by its weight until the descent places the carbons in contact. By
reason of this contact forming short circuit the current to a great extent abandons
the passage of greater resistance through the solenoid K. Immediately afterwards
the armature not being sufficiently influenced by the magnetic action re-falls by
its weight into the position of rest already described, thereby, through the medium
of the toothed sector P, fly-wheel F and pinion E, raising the rack A to the
extent necessary to separate the carbons and to cause the illuminating arc to be
produced slightly smaller than the normal arc. The current continuing to pass,
the carbons become consumed, the distance between them increases and the arc
becoming more resistant compels the current to increase its derivation through the
solenoid K. This increase is transferred through an attraction of the armature J
which re-enters progressively and proportionately to the consumption of the carbons
up to a point intermediate of its course, where the toothed sector P disengages the
fly-wheel F. This point of escapement is the point of electric equilibrium and
consequently of regulation; it corresponds to the normal are; on the least increase
in the consumption of the carbons the sector P liberates the fly-wheel F which,
being subjected to the weight of the rack A, tends to turn in the direction of the
arrow to allow it to descend and bring the carbons closer together; as the
distance between them diminishes the resistance of the are will lessen the deriva-
tion through the solenoid K which allows its armature to slightly exert itself.
This recoil movement again places the sector P in contact with the fly-wheel F
which is thus again retained until a fresh consumption of carbons reproduces a like
operation. The liberation and the re-subjection of the fly-wheel F by the sector P
is so rapid that the former has only turned to the extent of an angle equal to one
tooth of its periphery. This angle corresponds to a descent of the rack proportionate
to a movement of the fly-wheel to the extent of one tooth divided by the relation
of the diameters of the fly-wheel F and pinion E which allows of attaining the
desired softness of descent; moreover the weight of the fly-wheel F softens these
different movements by its inertia.
Thus, notwithstanding the consumption of the carbons the normal distance is
maintained by the liberation, tooth by tooth, of the fly-wheel Fallowing the
progressive descent of the rack. If, during the action, special conditions should
quire it, the armature J may leave its regulating point and assume its position
of rest, thus separating the carbons to a lighting distance. This is very important
as it mechanically avoids the adherence of the carbons which is a defect of existing

page_text: regulators. The regulating action is very powerful and ensures a practical working
hitherto unknown; the disposition of all the parts contributes to diminish the
chances of accidents. The carbon-holders M, N, Figures 2, 4 and 5, which are
very simple and strong and clamped together by operating an eccentric ( are
protected from disarrangement which would be very dangerous to the safety of the
apparatus.
Contrary to almost every existing apparatus the weight mechanically separates
the carbons and the current brings them together whereby an absolutely effective
working is ensured.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is :-
1. The combination with the solenoid K traversed by a derivation current, of
the movable armature J having a long course, sector, P, fly-wheel F, pinion E and
rack, substantially as set forth.
2. The method of action of a sector P upon the toothed fly-wheel E operating
the rack A and alternately allowing the descent and the raising of the said rack
and the carbon supported thereby through the liberation and engagement respectively
of the rack.
1
1
1001
G. F. REDFERN & Co.,
4, South Street, Finsbury, London, Agents for the Applicant.