Improvements in and relating to Systems of Electrical Distribution.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Apr., 1890-Accepted, 24th May, 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to Systems of Electrical Distribution.
I, CHARLES JACOB KINTNER, of 45 Broadway, New York City, New York, United
States of America, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this invention and
in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described and
ascertained in and by the following statement :-
-
My invention relates particularly to a novel method and system of electrical
distribution for use in electric lighting, and the transmission of power by electricity,
and has especially for its object to insure safety against accidents which arise through
the use of high-tension currents of electricity in electric lighting and kindred electric
systems.
To this end my invention consists in the novel methods of, and apparatus for
distributing electrical energy, as hereinafter described.
In the accompanying drawings
Figure 1 illustrates in elevational and sectional view a plan of electrical distribution,
in accordance with one part of my improvement..
Figure 2 is a detail view of a converter box with connections to a system.
Figure 3 is a diagramatical view, showing several independent generators of
electricity, and as many kinds of apparatus for utilizing electrical energy, all
connected up in accordance with my novel principle.
Figure is a cross sectional view of a concentric system of conductors with
dynamo electric machines connected in circuit, the exterior shell constituting the
direct or return conductor for the current from the several generators.
I propose to utilize a metallic or conducting conduit, casement or shell for the
return circuit of all classes of electrical currents and to carry the advance currents
to the source of consumption by insulated conductors located inside of said conduit,
or shell, whether the latter be located above or beneath the earth, but I prefer to
locate the outer or conducting shell in the earth, whereby it attains the same
potential as the earth, thereby largely diminishing the potential ordinarily required
in all wire conductors.
With such an arrangement of circuits a minimum amount of danger is incurred.
I either generate low tension currents above ground, carry them to the distributing
system below ground, there convert them into high-tension currents, which are carried
through concentric conductors to outlying points of consumption still below ground,
and then reconvert them into low tension currents for use above ground; or I
generate the high-tension currents in the concentric mains, and convert them into
low-tension currents at the individual man-holes; they are then carried above ground
and distributed.
In Figure 1 M is a low tension alternating current generator, generating say
1000 amperes at 100 volts. in a central station and carried by overhead conductors LL
to the street, and into a man-hole M H, to the primary P of a converter C. S is a
high tension secondary converter, for converting the currents into say 1000 volts. and
100 amperes, which is conducted by the insulated central conductor B¹ to the
successive converters C¹ &c.; in multiple arc, or series as desired, back by the return
conducting conduit, shell or casement B connected directly to earth, and therefore, of
the same potential as earth.
The converters CC are all in the man-holes M H and concealed in insulated
converter boxes, the conductors L L and L' L' being in each set continuous without
joints at any point beneath the surface of the earth, with the single exception of the
contact joints N in the interior of the metallic casement or conduit B.
By this arrangement of continuous central or interior conductor I obviate
unnecessary leakage, and hence there is little liability of short circuit. To accomplish

page_text: this result I prefer to construct or at least put together, the parts of the
primary in their positions in the man holes, the cores of the converters, being of
well known sectional parts, may be slipped in place when the converter boxes are
set up.
In the arrangement shown in Figure 3 tho lower portion of the conducting
casement or conduit is continuous, or is made so there is no possibility of any electrical
discontinuity while the upper portion of metal, or other conducting. material, or not,
as desired, is made in separable sections which may be removed.
With this arrangement, should any one of the direct cables, or conductors L'L',
become damaged, testing instruments of the usual pattern may be used in the man
holes at the points of generation and service, and the fault located definitely, after
which the particular cap, or cover B could be unearthed and removed, the fault
remedied, and the cover restored.
•
Or, the cables, or conductors L', could be drawn, if desired, in the usual manner.
I prefer, however, the former method as being less liable to do damage to the
conductor itself and to neighbouring conductors.
In this system shown, in Figure 3, the dynamo D is supplying current to motor M²;
dynamo Di to are lights E E E, and the alternating current dynamo M' is supplying
alternating currents to the converter C through primary P and secondary S to
lamps in multiple are, all three of these machines receiving their return current
through the common concentric casement B B in contact with the earth throughout
its length.
In Figure 4 I show several interior advance or direct conductors, B' B² B³ &c., and
all individually insulated from each other, and collectively insulated by a central
insulating pipe P' from their common return conducting casement, or conduit B.
By the term concentric conductor, or conductors, as used in this specification and
the claims which follow, I mean two or more couductors, one of which surrounds the
other, or the others, and acts as a return circuit.
With a proper insulation, and such precaution against the admission of moisture
into the casement, or conduit, by methods already well known to those skilled in
the art, I am enabled with the above system, to ensure absolute safety to the public,
and to employees of electric light and power corporations.
I do not limit myself to the specific details of construction herein shown and
described, my invention being directed broadly to improved methods and systems of
electrical distribution, and upon the principle of conducting electrical currents of
high potential through concentric conductors.
I am aware that it is old to permanently locate a compound cable, made up of
strands of copper twisted together, inside of an iron conduit, and to insulate fixedly
the entire cable therein, the conduit constituting a return circuit for the generators
and translating devices, substantially as disclosed in U.S. Patent to T. A. Edison
No: 227,228, granted May 4th 1880. Such a system, however, is directed more
particularly to the application of low tension currents, and I make no claim to a con-
struction coming within the terms of the said patent, the essential features of my
invention being directed to the application of high tension currents in concentric
conductors, the inner conductor, or conductors of which is or are removable at will.
:
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what
I' claim is
: First. The herein described method of distributing electricity, consisting in
generating low-tension currents and conducting said low-tension currents to a
point below the earth's surface, and then converting them into high tension currents,
and conducting said high tension currents to outlying points through conductors
located entirely beneath the earth's surface, and then converting said high-tension
currents again into low-tension currents, and finally conducting the same to the
consumers, substantially as described.
Second: The herein described method of distributing electricity, consisting in

page_text: generating low-tension currents above ground conducting said low-tension currents
to a point below the earth's surface, then converting said low tension currents into high-
tension currents, conducting said high-tension currents to outlying points below the.
earth's surface, converting said high tension currents again into low tension currents,
and then conducting said low tension currents above ground to the consumers sub-
stantially as described.
Third. The herein described method of distributing electrical currents of high
tension consisting in generating high-tension currents at a point below the earth's
surface, then conducting said currents to outlying points and back through a
conductor having the same potential as the earth, then converting said high-tension
currents into low-tension currents at said outlying points, and finally conducting said
low-tension currents to consumers, substantially as described.
Fourth. In a system of electrical distribution, a conducting conduit buried in the
earth, and a series of removal independently insulated conductors enclosed in said
conduit and surrounded by an insulating pipe or shield P₁, the conducting conduit
constituting a return circuit for all of said interior conductors, substantially as
described.
Fifth. In a system of electrical distribution, a series of independently insulated
conductors including each an independent source of energy and independent
translating devices, in combination with a surrounding conduit constituting the
return circuit for all of said conductors, and an insulating shield P¹ located between
the enclosed conductors and the conduit, substantially as described.
a
Sixth. A series of removable independently insulated conductors extending con-
tinuously through a conducting conduit made up of sections joined together by
conductor at each manhole, and independent generators and translating devices
connected to each one of the internal conductors and to the conducting conduit,
substantially as described.
Seventh. In a system of electrical distribution, one or more insulated conductors
including one or more generators and one or more translating devices, in combination
with a conducting casement or conduit having electrical continuity throughout its
length, and removable top sections for said conduit, substantially as described.
Eighth. In a system of electrical distribution, a metallic or conducting conduit,
having one portion electrically continuous throughout its length, in combination with
removable covers, substantially as described.
Ninth. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of the following
elements: A low-tension alternating current generator located above ground;
conductors connecting said generator with a high-tension converter at a point below
ground; a pair of concentric conductors for conducting said high-tension currents to
outlying points, one or more below ground; a low tension converter, one or more,
at said points, for converting said high-tension currents into low-tension currents;
conductors connecting said converters with translating devices located above ground,
or at points of actual consumption, substantially as described.
Tenth. In a system of electrical distribution, a conducting conduit being electrically
continuous throughout its length, in combination with a series of removable insulated
cables, each one of said cables being connected at one end to an independent electrical
generator, and at the other to an independent set of translating devices, said generators
and translating devices in turn being connected directly to the conduit, substantially
as described.
Eleventh. In a system of electrical distribution, one or more removable insulated
conductors located inside a conducting conduit, and including each a source of electrical
supply and translating devices, in combination with an insulating shield or tube
between the conductor or conductors and the conduit, substantially as described.
Twelfth. In a system of electrical distribution, a conducting conduit made up of
sections extending from manhole to manhole, and connected together electrically at
each manhole, in combination with one or more insulated conductors and an insulating
tube or shield in each section located between the sections of the conduit and the
interior conductor or conductors, substantially as described.

page_text: Thirteenth. In a system of electrical distribution for electric lighting and the
transmission of power, a conducting conduit, in combination with a series of
independently insulated removable conductors located inside of said conduit, each
including a generator of electricity adapted to generate high tension currents and
independent sets of translating devices, and all of said interior conductors being
connected at their opposite ends to the conduit, so that it acts as a common return
circuit therefor substantially as described.
Fourteenth. In a system of electrical distribution, the combination of an enclosing
conducting shield or tube with one or more removable insulated conductors enclosed
therein, and electrical generators and translating devices included in circuit with
said conductor or conductors and the enclosing shield, substantially as described.
Fifteenth. In a system of electrical distribution, an enclosing conducting shield
electrically connected with the earth, in combination with one or more removable
insulated electrical conductors enclosed therein, and electrical generators and trans-
lating devices, one set for each interior conductor, all connected in circuit with the
enclosed conductors and the enclosing shield, substantially as described.
Sixteenth. In a system of electrical distribution, a conducting shield or conduit
surrounding a removable insulated conductor, in combination with an alternate
current generator and one or more converters, said generator and converter or
converters being connected in circuit with the interior conductor and its surrounding
shield, substantially as described.
Datoil this and dose of Aumil 1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, Agents for the Applicant.