Improvements in Apparatus for Electrically Lighting Railway Carriages and other Vehicles.
Year: 1899

page_text: Date of Application, 11th Dec., 1899
Complete Specification Left, 10th Aug., 1900-Accepted, 11th Dec., 1900
Improvements in Apparatus for Electrically Lighting Railway
Carriages and other Vehicles.
I, CHARLES AUGUSTE VICARINO, of Rue Oberlin, Nancy (Meurthe et Moselle),
n the Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
ion to be as follows:-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved device for electrically
lighting railway carriages and other vehicles and consists essentially of an auto-
matic current inverter combined with a dynamo.
A battery of accumulators fixed to the under frame of the vehicle, and an auto-
matic switch disposed between the dynamo and the accumulators.
The dynamo provided with a suitable casing is fixed by means of a suspended
articulated joint to the underframe of the carriage or other vehicle and is driven
y elastic friction by means of a pulley formed in two parts and keyed upon
the axle of the vehicle; such pulley being adapted to act against a friction
wheel or the like of leather or other suitable material fast upon the shaft of the
armature, but it is obvious that the desired power may be transmitted by belt,
gearing or the like.
The rocking frame which carries the dynamo is traversed by a screw-threaded
rod around one end of which is wound a spring controlled by suitable nuts, the
tension of which spring while variable at will, determines the friction of the
pinion upon the pulley.
The field magnets are furnished with two windings, one of which is of fine
wire for the secondary current from the armature, while the other is of thick*
wire for the primary current.
The former excites the dynamo and generates the current, while the latter
demagnetizes the field magnets. The differential action of the two windings is
combined in such a manner as to practically maintain the tension of the dynamo
constant for the various speeds.
In order that the dynamo may revolve in the one or other direction while yet
producing a current in the outer circuit having a uniform direction the carbon
brushes thereof are fixed to the brush-holders which latter are mounted loose on
their gudgeons and are held in contact with the collector by means of a single
These brushes
insulated spring adapted to be adjusted by suitable screw nuts.
and brush-holders are all together fixed to a bronze disc mounted loose on the
shaft of the dynamo, in such a manner as to be moved in the direction of rotation
imparted to the armature by the friction of the brushes upon the collector and
by the disc upon the shaft. The stroke of the said disc is limited to 180° by
suitable stops and tappets so that the brushes are displaced for half a circle when
the direction of rotation is reversed and then remain in such position whilst the
same direction of movement is continued.
The gudgeons of the brush-holders are each connected to copper rings fixed
upon a plate of insulating material made fast upon the before mentioned bronze
disc which serves as current conductor, hence it will be seen that whether the

page_text: dynamo revolves in one direction or the other the current transmitted to the
external circuit flows always in an uniform direction. This current serves to
feed the lamps and to charge a battery of accumulators.
To this end the dynamo is connected with the accumulators and lamps to the
other apparatus in connection therewith, while the other pole is connected with
the thick wire of the field magnets and with an automatic switch.
This switch consists of a vertically disposed double wound solenoid having one
of its wires, the thin wire, connected with the terminals of the armature, while
the other wire, the thick wire, is traversed by the primary current.
This solenoid is furnished with a soft iron core of tubular form which at its
upper end terminates in a cup or saucer filled with mercury, while to the lower
end of the core is secured a rod adapted to dip into a similar cup of mercury.
A metal rod fixed to the upper part of the coil dips into the cup at the upper
end of the core when this latter is drawn in by the action of the solenoid. The
current from the dynamo flows through the coarse wire of the switch, the metal
rod fixed to the coil, the mercury cup and the core, and divides into two
circuits the one parting direct from the accumulators and the other flowing
through the resistance and feeding the lamps. At this moment the two windings
act in the same direction, the action of the coarse wire being added to that of the
fine wire.
If on the contary, the dynamo is stopped or if it gives a current of lower ten-
sion than the accumulators, the core descends by its own weight, the rod is no
longer in contact with the mercury of the cup and another suitably arranged rod
in opposition dips into the lower mercury cup, the dynamo is then no longer
in communication with the accumulators, and these latter feed the lamps and the
resistance is placed in short circuit.
A commutator serves for the lighting of the lamps, for extinguishing and for
turning low the lamps by introducing a resistance into the circuit as may be
required. It also serves to establish or to interrupt the induced current in the
fine wire of the dynamo and to interpolate a field resistance for absorbing the
tension of the dynamo when reducing the light giving intensity.
This commutator comprises a handle adapted to turn on a centre and formed
with two elastic contacts which move over two series of circular contacts corre-
sponding to the resistances before described one of which is connected to the
circuit of the lamps, the other being placed in the induced circuit.
In the position occupied by the apparatus when the lamps are lighted the
.current feeding the latter passes from the common pole of the dynamo through
the handle of the commutator direct to the lamps while the induced current is
established through the same handle and its contact.
In the position occupied when it is desired to turn the lamps low the current
passes from the handle of the commutator, through a resistance into the, lamps
thus lowering the tension; at the same time the current passes from the said
handle through the other resistance to the convolutions of the secondary winding
of the field magnets and reduces their excitation.
The intensity of the light, and simultaneously therewith the excitation, may
be varied to any desired degree by deplacing the handle upon the resistance
contacts.
In the position occupied when the lamps are extinguished the 'two circuits
of the lamps and the excitation of the dynamo are interrupted.
The dynamo revolves at a speed absolutely variable and excites of itself by
derivation the action of the automatic inverter, places the brushes with regard
to the collector in such a position that the direction of the current produced
remain invariable whilst the dynamo is at rest; and while it supplies a lower
tension than that from the accumulators these latter only feed the lamps.
Directly the tension of the dynamo becomes superior to that of the accumulators
the core is drawn inward by the action of the solenoid of the interruptor.
The current of the dynamo passes through the coarse wire of the field-magnets

page_text: Improvements on app
demagnetizes the dynamo and maintaining its tension in
through the coarse wire of the interruptor and increases its attraction upon the
core, feeds on the one hand the accumulators direct, and on the other hand the
lamps in passing through the resistance.
This resistance interpolated in the circuit of the lamps slightly reduces the
tension and produces an alteration of the tension which has for effect the charg-
ing of the accumulators.
If the speed of the dynamo is accelerated its tension has a tendency to increase,
the intensity of the current in the accumulators increases and demagnetizes the
dynamo. As however the resistance of the accumulators is very weak compared
with that of the lamps, the accumulators will be charged while the tension of the
lamps remains practically constant.
From this it will be seen that, according to the speed imparted to the dynamo,
the current for charging the accumulators varies while the tension of the lamps
intensity remains constant.
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.
Improvements in Apparatus for Electrically Diguna
Carriages and other Vehicles.
I, CHARLES AUGUSTE VICARINO, of Rue Oberlin, Nancy (Meurthe et Moselle),
the Republic of France, Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this inven-
on and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
nd ascertained in and by the following statement :--
essen-
The object of this invention is to provide an improved device for elec-
rically lighting railway carriages and other vehicles and consists
ially of an automatic current inverter combined with a dynamo; a battery of
ccumulators fixed to the underframe of the vehicle; and an automatic switch
disposed between the dynamo and the accumulators.
Referring to the accompanying drawings:
Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the general arrangement of the apparatus;
Figures 2 and 3 are modified diagrams of the same, one being shown with a
single battery of accumulators and the other having a battery for every carriage.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 represent a lateral elevation, a plan and an end elevation
of the dynamo respectively the latter showing its mode of suspension.
Figure 7 is a longitudinal section of the dynamo, and
Figures 8 and 9 are sections taken on A B and C D respectively of Figure 7.
Figures 10 and 11 are a face view and a vertical section of the switch and
Figures 12, 13 and 14 show an internal section and a front-elevation of a
rheostat disposed for acting at one and the same time upon the circuit of the
lamps and upon the secondary winding of the dynamo.
The dynamo a provided with a suitable casing is fixed by means of a suspended
5 articulated joint b to the under-frame of the carriage or other vehicle and is
driven by elastic friction by means of a pulley e formed in two parts, and keyed
of the vehicle; such pulley being adapted to act against a
upon the axle
friction wheel e or the like of leather or other suitable material fast upon the
shaft of the armature g; but it is obvious that the desired power may be trans
mitted by belt, gearing or the like.

page_text: The rocking frame
which carries the dynamo and which is fulcrumed at b
is traversed by a screw-threaded rod around one end of which is, wound a
spring controlled by suitable nuts, the tension of which spring while variable
at will, determines the friction of the pinion e upon the pulley c.
The field magnets are furnished with two windings, one of which is of fine
wire for the secondary current from the armature, while the other is of thick
wire m for the primary current.
The former excites the dynamo and generates the current, while the latter de-
magnetizes the field magnets. The differential action of the two windings is
combined in such a manner as to practically maintain the tension of the dynamo
constant for the various speeds.
In order that the dynamo may revolve in the one or other direction while yet
producing a current in the outer circuit having an uniform direction the carbon
brushes n, thereof are fixed to the brush-holders p, which latter are mounted
loose on their gudgeons rs and are held in contact with the collector by means
of a single insulated spring adapted to be adjusted by suitable screw nuts v w.
These brushes and brush-holders are fixed to a bronze disc mounted loose on
the shaft f of the dynamo in such a manner as to be moved in the direction of
rotation imparted to the armature by the friction of the brushes upon the
collector and by the disc upon the shaft. The stroke of the said disc is limited
to 180° by suitable stops y and tappets 1 so that the brushes are displaced
for half a circle when the direction of rotation is reversed, and then remain in
such position whilst the same direction of movement is continued.
The gudgeons rs of the brush holders are each connected to copper rings 2, 3
fixed upon a plate 4 of insulating material made fast-upon the before mentioned
bronze disc which serves as current conductor; hence it will be seen that
whether the dynamo revolves in one direction or the other, the current trans-
mitted to the external circuit flows always in an uniform direction. This
current serves to feed the lamps and to charge a battery of accumulators.
To this end the dynamo is connected by one pole with the accumulators 7 and
lamps 8 to the other apparatus in connection therewith, while the other pole
is connected with the thick wire of the field magnets and with an automatic
switch 9.
This switch, shewn more clearly in Figures 10 and 11 consists of a vertically
disposed double wound solenoid having one of its wires, the thin wire, connected
with the terminals of the armature, whilst the other wire, the thick wire, is
traversed by the primary current.
This solenoid is furnished with a soft iron core 13 of fubular form, which at
its upper end terminates in a cup or saucer 14 filled with mercury, while to the
lower end of the core is secured a rod 15 adapted to dip into a similar cup of
mercury 16.
A metal rod 17 fixed to the upper part of the coil dips into the cup at the
upper end of the core 14 when this latter is drawn in by the action of the solenoid.
The current from the dynamo flows through the coarse wire 12 of the switch,
the metal rod 17, cup 14, and core 13 and divides into two circuits; the one
parting direct from the accumulators 7, and the other flowing through the resis-
tance 18 and feeding the lamps. At this moment the two windings act in the
same direction, the action of the coarse wire being added to that of the fine
wire.
If on the contrary the dynamo is stopped, or if it gives a current of lower ten-
sion that the accumulators, the core 13 descends by its own weight, the rod 17
is no longer in contact with the mercury of the cup 14, and another suitably
arranged rod 15, in opposition, dips into the cup 16, the dynamo is then no
longer in communication with the accumulators, and these latter feed the lamps
and the resistance 18 is placed in short circuit.
A switch 26 serves for the lighting of the lamps, for extinguishing and for
turning low the lamps by introducing a resistance into the circuit as may be

page_text: red. It also serves to establish or to
wire of the dynamo and to interpolate a field resistance for absorbing
on of the dynamo when reducing the light-giving intensity.
is switch comprises a handle 21 adapted to turn on a centre 22 and formed
two elastic contacts 23, 24 which move over two series of circular con-
25 and 26 corresponding to the resistances 27 and 28 one of which is con-
ed to the circuit of the lamps, the other being placed in the induced circuit
hewn in Figure 1.
n the position occupied, by the apparatus when the lamps are lighted, the
rent feeding the latter passes from the common pole of the dynamo through
handle 21 and contact 29 direct to the lamps, while the induced current is
ablished through the same handle 21 and its contact 30.
In the position occupied when it is desired to turn the lamps low the current
ses from the handle 21 of the commutator through the resistances 27 into the
nps, thus lowering the tension; at the same time the current passes from the
id handle 21 through the other resistances 28 to the convolutions of the
condary winding of the field magnets and reduces their excitation.
The intensity of the light and simultaneously therewith the excitation may
e varied to any desired degree by deplacing the handle upon the resistance
ontacts.
In the position occupied when the lamps are extinguished the two circuits
f the lamps and the excitation of the dynamo are interrupted.
The dynamo excites the action of the automatic inverter, places the brushes
with regard to the collector in such a position that the direction of the current
produced remain invariable, whilst the dynamo is at rest; and while it supplies
a lower tension than that from the accumulators, these latter only feeding the
lamps.
Directly the tension of the dynamo becomes superior to that of the accumu-
lators, the core 13 is drawn inward by the action of the solenoid of the
interrupter.
The current of the dynamo passes through the coarse wire m of the field-
magnets, demagnetizing the dynamo and maintaining its tension in equilibriumi,
it passes through the coarse wire 12 of the interrupter and increases its attraction
upon the core 13, feeds on the one hand the accumulators 7 direct, and on the
other hand the lamps 8 in passing through the resistance 18.
This resistance interpolated in the circuit of the lamps slightly reduces the
tension and produces an alteration of the tension which has for effect the charg-
ing of the accumulators.
If the speed of the dynamo is accelerated, its tension has a tendency to in-
(crease, and the intensity of the current in the accumulators increases. As how-
ever the resistance of the accumulators is very weak compared with that of the
lamps, the accumulators will be charged while the tension of the lamps remains
practically constant.
From this it will be seen that, according to the speed imparted to the dynamo
45 the current for charging the accumulators varies while the tension of the lamp
and their intensity remains constant.
а
I have shewn in Figure 2 the application of my improved system to the ligh
ing of a whole train by means of a single dynamo and a single battery of accum
lators placed in a special van, and in Figure 3 the arrangement as applied
50 the lighting of a train by means of a single dynamo driven from one of the axl
and charging the batteries of accumulators individual to each carriage.
In Figure 2 is shewn a make and break contact arrangement consisting of
magnetic core a¹ adapted to be moved in its axial direction in the interior of
solenoid b¹ mounted as a shunt from the main circuit. Two conductors c¹ and
55 of which the former is connected in the circuit of the lamps and the latter w
the battery of accumulators through the resistance d¹, are carried by the m

page_text: netic core which at its lower end forms a point e¹ and is consequently in con-
tact with the conductors and ².
A mercury cup f¹ in contact through ¹, with the conductor g¹ coming from
the accumulators, is arranged beneath the point e.
In the position shown, the point el dips into the mercury in the cup f¹ and
the current passes through gh¹ fe¹ e¹ and into the lamps without passing
through the resistance d¹.
When the intensity of the current becomes too considerable the solenoid bl
draws in its core a which ascends, withdrawing the point e from the cup f'.
The current of the accumulators then passes through g', the resistance d the
conductors cand e and finally reaches the circuit of the lamps through ¹.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said in-
vention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:-
1. The construction and arrangement of the automatic reverser, consisting of a
disc carrying the brushes adapted to rest on the collector, the said disc, placed
in its proper position by the action of the dynamo shaft according to the direction
of rotation of this latter, being retained by a fixed stop, while the brushes are
secured to an insulated ring upon which presses a spring contact for taking-off
the current substantially as described and illustrated by the accompanying
drawings.
2. The construction and arrangement of the automatic switch interruptor
provided with a double wiring and with a movable core adapted to place into
circuit the accumulators and the lamps when the tension of the dynamo is suffi-
cient, while isolating the latter from the circuit formed by the accumulators and
the lamps when the tension becomes too low. substantially as hereinbefore
described.
3. The arrangement of the double rheostat with single hand-lever adapted to
produce the lighting the lowering and the extinction of the lamps whilst all
the time acting upon the excitation of the dynamo substantially as described.
4. The combination of these various apparatus with a dynamo provided with a
wiring inversely compound for the purpose of maintaining a constant tension in
the lamps independent of the variation in the speed of the dynamo substantially
as herein before described.
5. The complete arrangement of my system, the hereinbefore described
arrangement of parts applied to the lighting of railway carriages and other
vehicles constructed arranged and combined substantially as described and
illustrated in the accompanying drawings for the purposes specified.
Datal 110th day of
1000
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
45, Southampton Buildings, London, W.C.,
Agents for the Applicant.