IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER APPARATUS
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Munro of 4 Montague Road, West Croydon in
the County of Surrey for an invention of IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC
LIGHT AND POWER APPARATUS.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said John Munro at the Office
of the Commissioners of Patents on the 4th April 1882.
JOHN MUNRO of 4 Montague Road West Croydon in the County of Surrey
"IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER APPARATUS "
My Invention is for improvements in apparatus for generating and producing
electric light and power. For distributing the current I employ a combination of
the known rotary or vibratory distributing devices whereby a current is dealt out
in portions to a number of separate circuits in turn and a secondary battery or
other means of re-uniting these parcel currents into one continuous current for each
circuit For I find that secondary batteries give a steady current when charged
intermittently in this way and I make special provision for adjusting the period of
charging and non-charging the accumulator or in other words the duration of the
pulse of current and the interval between the pulses-The rotating distributor
may be separate from the generator and driven by its own belt clockwork or motor,
driven by the latter. When driven
but I also apply it to the generator so that it
independently by the current I sometimes send the current through a small electric
motor connected to the Shaft of the rotating Contact piece so that the motor drives
the latter and distributes the current or I pull the rotating contact round by a
series of electric-magnets each in a derived circuit from the radial or distributing
circuits When the rotating piece makes contact with a light or power circuit the
current flows into it and the derived current passing through the electro-magnet
attracts an armature fixed to the rotating piece and pulls it round thereby breaking
contact with the light circuit, but the impulse carries it on to contact with the next
light circuit and the electro magnet derived from the latter comes into play and by
pulling round the rotary contact breaks the light circuit as before-In this way
can a continuous rotation be given to the distributing arm or contact-These

page_text: devices can be used for discharging accumulators to lamps or motors as well as in
charging them
When I attach the distributor to the machine itself I fix the rotary contact to
the shaft of the machine or I bring the ends of the separate light and power circuits
to the Commutator and set them round it so that by suitable brush or other
contacts they may receive portions of the current in succession-To prevent varying
resistance and sparking at the contacts I arrange that there should be a definite
pressure between the two touching surfaces-This pressure is regulated by
adjusting screws and springs. I also arrange to exhaust the air between the
two surfaces of contact so as to get as much of a silent discharge as possible-This
vacuum Commutator may be made by using metal combs with pointed teeth
in place of the ordinary brushes to draw the electricity from the Commutator
bars The latter pass very close under the points of the teeth-but not in actual
contact so that there is no wearing of the bars-The bars may be made corrugated
or pointed also and opposed bars with cross corrugations may be employed instead
of the metal combs-The whole is enclosed in an air tight chamber and the air
exhausted from it until the vacuum is sufficiently conductive-Vapours of a
conducting nature, such as steam may be substituted for the air. It will readily
be seen how one or more circuits can be fed with clectricity in this manner from
the saine commutator Whether with or without this vacuum and vapour device.
I also employ brushes of fine wire placed vertically instead of the ordinary copper
.combs placed flat on the commutator bars and this gives a great number of contact
points thereby lessening the sparks-Vacuum tubes, condensers, and accumulators
are also connected to the brushes with a view to absorb the sparks
The intermittent or pulsating currents are also generated by a kind of inversion
of the ordinary generator by which the induced coils are placed in the position of
the indicators of Machines as now made and the indicators are rotated as the
armature is now-To this end I set a number of coils or electro magnets round a
frame each coil connected with a light or power conductor and accumulator so that
the pulses of current generated in it shall traverse the conductor without sparking
-The Conductor may be a combination of powerful permanent magnets or electro
magnets rotated so that each pauses in front of the induced coils in succession and
generates the maximum current in them I also make a generator by opposing
powerful electro magnets, like pole to like and fixing coils to their ends in such a'
way that the plane of the coil is in the same plane as the axis of the magnet-I
then cause a soft iron ring to rotate free between these coils which are each. con-
nected to a light circuit and deliver up their pulses of current to it Instead of
winding the coils completely round I also make them of a loop shape and cause
the soft iron ring to rotate within the hollow of the circle of partial coils-In this
case there need only be one circle of partial coils or loops between the poles of the
inductors if there is one ring, but if two rings, there may be two sets of loops The
currents generated so can be kept feeble if necessary such currents being suitable
for charging a secondary battery-I also employ this loop form of coil in other
forms of armature Besides charging such a battery in pulses I also charge it by
adding on fresh cells-at intervals so as to get a constant current from the
whole This is done by means of the rotary distributor in a way readily
understood
To re-unite the parcel currents I also employ condensers with their plates joined
in quantity but instead of charging these in the ordinary way I pass the varying
current through one set of plates or through a wire and thus allow the other set of
plates to so retard the current as to make it more uniform-I also employ what
may be called absorption batteries or accumulators in which I make use of the
property of certain insulators for absorbing a charge of electricity and giving it out
again Among such insulators are gutta percha glass india rubber, Hoopers
material etc-but I do not restrict myself to any one kind of material or composition
I also make artificial absorbents by mixing sinall conducting plates or particles
with the insulator so as to imitate a congeries of condensers-These batteries are

page_text: constructed by placing the absorbing substance between two metal plates or other
conductors in such a way that the current soaks into the material.
It is to be understood that these accumulators whether secondary batteries
absorption batteries or others may be used as feeders of electro lamps or other
apparatus all the while electricity is being supplied to them-This is done by
putting the lamps etc in a derived circuit from the battery or part of the battery
And I employ the device of a secondary battery or other accumulator to regulate
the current in are and incandescent lamps or other apparatus by joining the
accumulator across the poles of a lamp or set of lamps as a shunt so that part of
the current goes to charge the accumulator and when the current in the lamp is
too strong a reverse current will flow from the battery and neutralise it. Small
accumulators can thus be added to each lamp-I also connect these accumulators
and condensers in a similar manner with the regulating device of are lamps so as
to increase their efficiency.
In constructing electric lamps with carbons suspended by cords from pulleys in a
frame or otherwise supported so as to be free to move I employ as the automatic
regulator of the arc electro magnets which attract a conical, not a flat or
cylindrical, armature-This conical armature can be sucked into a hollow electro
magnet or solenoid or it can be sucked between two electro magnets-Instead of
this cone of soft iron I also use a hollow coil or solenoid having the upper half
wound in the saine direction as the outer solenoid and the other half in the opposite
direction It is suspended like the said cone and may be sucked into the hollow of
a fixed solenoid or the annular space between two fixed concentric solenoids-These
solenoids can be incased in soft iron to intensify their attracting power and they
are in circuit with the main current-The suspended moveable solenoid is in a
derived circuit from the are the current flowing through its upper part in the same
direction as the current in the fixed solenoids-It will be understood that the
movements of the cone in the former case and the moveable salenoid in the latter
as the current in the are varies is made to regulate the width of the arc in a well
known manner Another regulating device which I employ is an open spiral of
wire which expands and contracts like a spiral spring according as the current in it
is greater or less.
In making carbon rods for the arc lamps I build them up in concentric layers
like dip candles-These dip carbons give a more uniform arc-I also make composite
candles by building them up of thin slips placed together Sometimes I form them
chemically on a slender core by chemical deposition of pure carbon-The core of
ordinary carbon for example may be placed in a tube of refractory material such as
pipe clay and a current of hydro-carbon gas (say coal gas and benzole) is passed
up the tube-Heat is applied to the tube so as to reduce the carbon from the gas
upon the core-In this way a hard durable carbon is fabricated Similarly by
taking a hollow cone to begin with it can be filled up in this way I also use hollow
carbons for the arc itself and pass a stream of gas or vapour rich in carbon (such
as the vapour from albo-carbon) into the arc to enrich its light Other Gases giving
required tints to the light are also introduced in this way-For I find that the
vapours of the atmosphere absorb certain rays of the electric light very powerfully
especially the blue green and certain orange rays-Hence it looses much power in
a fog and to make up for this loss and fit the electric light for moist and foggy.
weather I add certain rays to it by giving the arc the substances which emit these
rays when volatilised-This is done either by supplying them in the form of gas
in the way described or by mixing them in the body of the carbon rods-In
particular I communicate yellow rays to the arc by mixing the carbon with sodium
salts for yellow is the most luminous of the rays and penetrates far in a fog-Red
also is added for this reason, but I need not enumerate all the materials yielding'
the required rays as they are found in books on spectroscopy, thus salts of strontium
zinc red of calcenim reddish purple of copper green and so on-I prefer the plan of
tingeing the light itself to enclosing it in colored globes which themselves absorb.
so much of the radiation-For street lighting, however I prefer to enclose the arc

page_text: $
in a vacuuous bulb so that the absorptive vapours of the atmosphere may not be
heated up by it and I prefer to have as much of the carbon incandescent as possible
For I have found that incandescent carbons are best adapted for street lighting in
misty weather. To this end I employ a ring of magnesia or lime enclosing the are
like a ferrule This gets heated up and gives off incandescent light while the are
is within When globes are used for the arc light in fogs I prefer them of uranium
glass which utilizes some of the ultra violet rays which are so plentiful in this
light.
It can be shewn by experiment that accumulators are best charged by a feeble
current acting during a long time and therefore I arrange to charge them by means
of atmosphere and earth currents To tap the atinospheric currents I run up a tall
pointed conductor into the air and insert a secondary battery between it and a good
earth" connection at the lower end-To prevent a charge of too high potential
entering the battery and destroying it I connect a suitable lightning protector
across the terminals of the battery so as to carry off a lightning discharge to the
earth; my aim being to utilize the gentler currents from the atmosphere to the
earth It is obvious that the ordinary lightning conductor now applied to houses
can be employed as the conductor in question-When fitted with my arrangement-
Where a platinum wire or fusible lightning protector is employed it can be placed
in the circuit of the accumulator--The accumulator can also be placed in a derived
circuit from the lightning rod and fitted with a safety fuse of lead to guard it from
lightning In this way a house can be protected by lightning-and at the same
time be storing up for use the electric currents which now flow uselessly to earth,
The so called earth"
currents can also be utilised in the same way and as these
are periodic in some places and of diurnal occurrence a regular if intermittent
supply of electricity can be obtained-This is got by burying two "earth plates
in the earth positions found to give the best supply of current and connecting
them by a wi or cable in the circuit of which is a lightning guard as already
described for...mospheric electricity By making one earth plate of a different
and more electro positive metal to the other the voltaic current generated by the
earth moisture, or different qualities of soil, can be stored Also the current
induced by a stream of water flowing over a submerged cable across the lines of
terrestrial magnetism can be stored in a similar manner If it is necessary, means
can be taken to regulate the strength of current entering these accumulators or to
render them intermittent. I also employ powerful parabolic reflectors to collect
the solar rays and focus them on thermopiles so as to generate the currents which
are stored in these accumulators. To facilitate the charging I sometimes apply
heat to the secondary batteries.
"
"
I also construct resistance coils for using in connection with the electric light
out of elastic carbon filaments such as are used for incandescent lamps. These
can be made either by charring animal or vegetable tissues or depositing carbon
chemically or both, and froin mineral carbon, and they may be immersed in
paraffin or other insulator to keep out damp, or covered with silk, and cotton, or
they may be enclosed in vacuum bulbs of any convenient shape such as the bulbs
of incandescent lamps In this case platinum or other metal electrodes enter the
bulb and connect with the carbons For this connection I prefer to electrotype the
joint with copper but it may be made in other ways The coils are of course
adjusted to given resistances and arranged in sets like the wire coils of ordinary
rheostats. These adjustable resistance boxes can also be used in testing and
telegraphic work or as shunts and resistances for graduating the light of an electric
lamp
For the latter purpose however I prefer to use a microphonic regulator composed
of a series of microphonic contacts in series or in multiple arc with one another
and in circuit with the current to the lamp or as a shunt to the lamp current-
The resistances of the microphone is well known to vary under pressure and I
apply pressure by means of a regulating thu nb screw gradually so as to graduate
the light to any degree such a microphone may be made of separate blocks of

page_text: carbon or other conductor and semi-conductor or it may be made of the same
materials in the form of powder or fragments and subjected to pressure in the
manner described I also arrange to graduate the light by the insertion of one or
more microphonic contacts into the regulating circuit, which contacts can be altered
in resistance by pressure if need be
In the ordinary switches now used I have observed that the upper moveable
contact piece when contact is broken rests on a solid plate of insulator abutting on
the lower fixed contact and a smear or trail of dust and metallic particles forms
thereon and tends not only to foul the contact but to short circuit the broken
contact To prevent this I separate the fixed contact from the insulating table on
which the moveable contact rests when the circuit is broken and I make the
insulating table not a hard solid slab but having a soft brush like or spongy surface
which has a wiping action on the under surface of the contact resting on it A
dense hair brush a block of india rubber or other compound serves the purpose and
it is separated from the fixed metal contact by a narrow air space which the
moveable contact can readily bridge over
To measure the electric current for light and motive purposes I employ an
adaptation of the device well known as Barlows Spur wheel-In this a horse-shoe
magnet encloses a disc of copper mounted on an axle and when a current passes
from the axle by the wheel to a pool of mercary into which the edge of the dise
dips below, the disc rotates-This rotation is proportional to the strength of the
current and by fitting a suitable indicator or counter to the axle of the disc I can
register the number of turns of the disc or ampères of current-The spur wheel
can be used in this way but I prefer the continuous disc as it does not interrupt
the current The apparatus can be inserted either in the main current or a smaller
current derived from it. To screen off the effect of extraneous inagnetism I enclose
it in a thick ease of soft iron
I also utilize the electric light conductors going to different houses as telegraph
or telephone lines for the communication of intelligence
This double purpose (by which a central station for electric light and power is
also turned into a telephone or telegraph exchange) is best effected by having a
special conductor to each house and hence my plan of distributing currents by
rotation or from separate induced bobbins is well adapted for it At the central
station each conductor is connected to one of the ordinary telephone switch or
connecting boards with telephone attachments through a comparatively high
resistance or through a condenser electro magnet or induction coil so that the light
and power currents are practically unaffected and in each house the conductor is
also connected to a telephone attachment and "earth" through a high resistance
or a condenser electro magnet or induction coil or other device by which the main
current is practically unaffected-The small leakage of this current required to
work the telephones or telegraphs would not be missed from the main current-
The telephone I prefer for this work is one in which there is no continuous circuit,
such as the electrostatic telephone of Dolbear, which acts a condeuser itself in the
telephone circuit-The telegraph apparatus I prefer is of the kind which works by
delicate or by vibratory currents Such as the harmonic telegraphs of M Elisha
Gray and M. Le Sieur or the Cymaphen device of M Varley-The Exchange
Board enables all the Clients of one exchange to have intercourse or two exchanges
to speak together-Fire alarms can also be given in this way to the Central
Station from which help can be obtained
Though the system would work best with single wires from the station to each
house I do not limit myself to this separate arrangement for by proper harmonic
telegraph apparatus timed to a different note for each subscriber two or more
subscribers could use the same conductor for corresponding with the Central
Station and giving alarms in a way which will be readily understood by one.
familiar with the harmonic telegraph.
Another part of my Invention is for a means of making contact between
conductors and a travelling vehicle with electric lamps or which is driven by an

page_text: .electromotor When the vehicle travels on rails I lay, an insulated conductor
between the rails and at intervals a contact rod or several contact rods project
upwards. These carry a longitudinal metal cap of sufficient length to give a good
contact and a metal brush projecting upwards from the bottom of the car and in
circuit with the motor and the rails or "earth "The cap is also an umbrella to
shield the contact between it and the rod from injury Instead of having metal
rods rising from a cable on the ground I also plant rods or standards in the ground
and suspend the conductor between them like a telegraph wire. The wire is
suitably insulated from the standards and is connected underneath to the contact
cap over which the brush travels. To increase the regularity of the current thus
supplied I combine accumulators with the motor or lamps so that the accumulators
are charged in passing and the motor draws its current from them A similar
arrangement is used for street and road vehicles not travelling on rails but in this
case the charging points are further apart and situated at all places on the journey.
Accumulators to store up the charge taken in whilst the vehicle rests are necessary
in this case but the battery required is smaller and therefore lighter than that
needed by the plan in vogue of simply charging the accumulator at the beginning
of the journey. Intermittent current can be used for this purpose also combined
with accumulators
Another device for making contact between a charged conductor and the motor
or lamps of a car travelling on rails is to run the conductor beside the Rail within
the track and have short metal standards or contacts projecting up from it in such
a manner that the flange of the wheel will press upon them as it passes. Instead
however of the flange itself pressing on the contact or rubbing against a metal
brush in connection with the conductor I prefer to have the flange press down an
intermediate longitudinal conductor into contact with the insulated Standards.
This conductor has sufficient spring to break contact when the flange has passed
Instead of having a charged conductor connected to the. Standards I also make the
spring conductor the line and charge it while insulating it from the rest of the
track.
In both these cases the rail in question is.insulated while the other rail is earthed
and the current in flowing from one to the other passed through the motor.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by.
the said John Munro in the Great Seal Patent Office on the 3rd October
1882.
JOHN MUNRO Electrician of 4 Montague Road West Croydon Surrey
IMPROVEMENTS IN ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER APPARATUS
My Invention, is for improvements in apparatus, for generating, or producing,
Electric Light, and Power, and For distributing the same. I use several forins of
generators, and will now describe them in the order in which I obtain the best
results. In ordinary practise it is usual for the Field Magnets, or the inductors to
be stationary, while the induced bobbin, or bobbins revolve. In the machine
which I employ, the Field Magnets are rotated, and each induction bobbin is con-
nected by its commutator, to a separate lead or conductor. The Inductors, or
Field Magnets, may consist of Permanent Magnets, or clectro-magnets, so con-
structed that as each successive magnet passes the stationary induced coils, ranged
by its side and as near to it as possible, a current flows out to line, or I make up
my generating machine by opposing powerful electro-magnets like pole to like,
coils being fixed to their ends in such a manner, as that the plane of the coil, is in
the same plane as the axis of the magnet. Each coil being as before described,
connected with a lead or line, A soft iron ring of special construction is rotated
between the coils, and as it passes each coil, a current is sent out to line. The
coils need not be wound completely round, but can be made loop shaped. I
sometimes use as a generator, what are known as natural earth currents, which are,
constant in some places, and at others intermittent, or two earth plates of
dissimilar metals are buried in the ground, in the position which is found to give
the best results, or I sometimes employ the gas or water pipes which of themselves
present a large surface in every town, as earth plates, I also use the currents
continually travelling to earth by means of lightning conductors. In order to
collect or receive and subsequently to distribute my current from whatsoever
source it may be derived. I use a rotary or vibrating distributers, which can be
aflixed direct to the spindle of the generator, if it be a dynamo machine, or it can
be fixed separately, and actuated by any mechanism capable of imparting to it
rotary, or vibratory motion, such for instance as a belt driving a pulley, or a small
electro motor, coupled to it, or driven by a direct or derived current from the
initial or main current. The current from my leading wires is conducted to the
central arm, and as this arm passes over the contact studs in rapid succession, a
series of impulses are sent along the leads, connected to such contact studs.
order to collect these impulses, I place in the main circuit of each lead; connected
to the contact studs, a secondary battery, for the purpose of storing such impulses,
and being used as a source of supply to an arc, incandescent or other form of lamp,
or a motor to which it is coupled up in a derived circuit from it, that is to say the
initial or main current is conveyed from the generator, what ever class be used; to
the secondary or storage battery, through the rotating or vibrating distributor.
When the secondary battery is sufficiently charged, the lamp, or motor, which
forms a derived circuit from it, is switched in, and the feeding current splits as
between battery, and lamp, or motor; any failure in the feeding current, is made
up for by the secondary battery. It is well known to electricians that the electro-
motive force of all kinds of storage, or other batteries, is very low and that
consequently a large number of cells are needed to overcome the resistance of the
amp, or motor. In as much however as the electromotive force of a cell is the
kame irrespective of its size. I sometimes use very small cells capable of storing
In

page_text: small quantities of the electric current, but sufficient to obviate the flickering of
lamps due to irregular running of machines, and other causes.
My intention is
mainly by useing storage batteries coupled to lamps, or machines as described, to
utilize intermittent currents, which may thus be stored; or to collect and store the
currents, which flow to earth through lightening conductors, or the currents
derivable from the earth; whether by batteries constructed as described, or arising
from natural causes. In the latter case I provide a special automatic switch, so
arranged that should the earth current reverse, as sometimes happens, and would
certainly happen; if my wires crossed a tidal river, or were submerged in it,
which would tend to liberate the current stored in my accumulator, such reverse
current is diverted from it, and sent direct to earth: If my accumulators be
ready charged, and I so construct them that their power is proportional to the
work they have to do, then by bringing my rotating arm into contact with any
one of the studs, leading to such accumulators, I can obtain a reverse current from
it, through the rotating magnets of my generator, this will cause them to revolve
in a direction the reverse of that, to which they usually run, and thus the generator
can be used as a motor, a reference to fig 5 will make this clear. One of the great
difficulties hitherto found in using a distributor of the kind described, is sparking at
the points of contact, at the break or as the moveing arm is drawn away from the
contact pin, large sparks are formed various means are used to overcome this, as by
breaking up the surface of the contact points into several pieces, so that the
quantity may be more evenly distributed, through them to line. I prefer however
to employ condensers, so that any excess of current is absorbed by them to be
again used; when the condition of the line permits, these condensers can also be
used as a means for storing or accumulating the current in place of storage
batteries, and if so used I call them absorption batteries, the lamp or motor being
used as before in a derived circuit. I also avoid sparking when my distributor
is attached direct to the generator, or when separate from it by causing the
rubbing surfaces to press firmly upon each other; such pressure being regulated
by screws and springs, and sometimes I exhaust the air from the case, containing
the Rotating arm and contact studs. I then prefer to use metal combes,
with pointed teeth in place of the brushes usually employed; they are set very
close to the contact studs, but do not touch. Vapours of a conducting nature,
such as steam may be admitted to the exhausted chamber; and I can also
employ vertical brushes, direct from the commutator of any machine to
my several circuits. The condensers above referred to, can be joined up for
quantity, but I sometimes use them as if they formed part of the circuit, sending
the varying current through one set of plates as through a wire, the other set of
plates, then retard the flow of such intermittent current and so render it more
uniform. In constructing my electric arc lamp for use with the apparatus herein
described, I employ as the automatic regulator of the arc, an electromagnet or
electromagnets or solenoids, which when excited by the current attract or draw
towards them, or into a hollow space provided for the purpose, a conical armature,
or instead of using a cone of soft iron, I may use a hollow cone, or solenoid having
the upper half wound in the same direction, as the outer, or enclosing solenoid, and
the other half in the opposite direction. This internal conical solenoid, is suspended,
in the centre of the solenoid and is sucked up into such solenoid, when the latter
is excited. The exterual solenoid can be made annular, or either, or both, can be
encased in a jacket of soft iron. I also employ another method of regulating my
lamp, consisting of an open spiral, which expands and contracts like a spring
according as the current is greater or less. For street lighting I prefer to enclose
my arc in a vacuous bulb, so that the absorptive vapours of the atmosphere may
not be heated up by it, and I prefer to have as much of the carbon incandescent
as possible as I have found best results from incandescent lamps when the
weather is damp, or misty. To this end I employ a ring of magnesia, or lime
which encloses the arc like a ferrule. This gets heated up, and gives of
incandescent light, while the current is within. When globes are used for the are

page_text: دو
light in fogs, I prefer them to be made of uranium glass, which utilizes some of
the ultra violet rays, which are so plentiful in this light, In making my carbons
for the arc lamps, I sometimes build them up in concentric layers, after the manner
in which ordinary dip candles are made, and I sometimes make them in layers,
composed of, thin slips placed together, sometimes they are formed chemically
upon a slender core, by deposition chemically of pure carbon. The core of ordinary
carbon, may be placed in a tube of refractory material such as pipe clay, and a
current of hydrocarbon gas, coal gas, or benzole is passed up the tube, heat is
applied to the tube, so as to reduce the carbon from the gas, upon the coil: In this
way a hard durable carbon may be fabricated. Similarly by taking a hollow core
to begin with, it can be filled up in this way. I also use hollow carbons for the
arc itself and pass a gas or vapour, rich in carbon such a vapour as "albo carbon
into the arc.
Other gases also giving. requisite tints, to the light are introduced
in this way, for I find that the vapours of the atmosphere absorb certain rays, of
the electric light very powerfully, especially blue, green and certain orange rays.
Hence it loses much power in a fog, and to make up for this loss, and fit the electric
light for moist and foggy weather. I add certain rays to it by giving the arc the
substances which emit these rays, when volatilized, this is done either by supplying
them in the form of gas, in the way described, or by mixing them in the body of
the carbon rods. In particular I communicate yellow rays to the arc, by mixing
the carbon with sodium salts, yellow being the most luminous of the rays, and
penetrates furthest in a fog. Red is also used for this reason, but I need not refer
to the materials needed to produce these colours as they are to be found in books
upon spectroscopy. I prefer to tinge the light itself, rather than to use coloured
globes. It is well known that feeble currents are best for charging accumulators,
the action being continued over a long period. I find that earth currents, or those
currents naturally produced by the difference of potential, existing at various
points upon the earths surface; and also that derivable from the atmosphere, are
very suitable to my purpose. Earth currents are quite constant in some parts of
England, and are to be obtained in various ways, such as by burying two earth plates,
at some distance apart, or by connecting the iron gas pipes, in such a manner,
as to cause the current to flow through any accumulators, and charge them.
I tap the atmospheric currents by useing a conducting rod similar to a lightening
conductor which rises some distance into the air, my secondary battery being
inserted between it, and earth, so that the charge may pass through it, and so
effect chemical change or decomposition. What is known as a lightening pro-
tector, is inserted between the base of the conductor, and the secondary battery so
that a charge of too high potential, is diverted to earth; my especial object being
to use only the feebler currents, which are constantly travelling to earth through
such conductors. To prevent the wasting effect of a reverse current entering iny
battery which would undo the storage work, I employ an automatic switch, of a
simple kind, depending for its action upon the directive effect of a current upon, a
magnetic needle, so long as the current is passing in the direction suitable for
storing my battery, the needle is pressed by a small portion of the current shunted
through its coils, against the metal stop, through which the main circuit passes to
the battery, should however the current reverse the needle is caused to move away
from such stop, and with the exception of the small amount passing through the
shunt, the circuit is broken. I also employ reflectors parabolic or conical, for
reflecting the suns rays, and so actuating a therinopile, useing the currents developed
in this way for storage, I also raise the temperature of my batteries, by heating
them, in any convenient manner, to facilitate the charging. I also employ for
resistance coils, as specially suited for electric lighting purposes; elastic carbon
filiaments, such as are used for electric lamps of the incandescent type. They are
made by charring animal, or vegetable tissues, or mineral carbon; or depositing
carbon chemically upon both, and they may be immersed in paraffin, or other
insulator, to keep out damp, or covered with silk and cotton, or they may be
enclosed in vacuum bulbs of any convenient shape, such, as bulbs of. incandescent

page_text: lamps in this case platinium or metal electrodes; enter the bulb, and connect with
the carbon, the joints being clectrotyped with copper, they may however be
made in other ways; The coils are adjusted' to given resistance, and arranged in
sets, like ordinary wire rheostats, these adjustable resistance boxes, can also be
used, for telegraphic testing. I also sometimes use a microphonic regulator, for
adjusting the required resistances. As is well known, these rheostats are susceptible
of considerable variation, under pressure; and I arrange them in such a manner,
that by turning an ordinary thumb screw I can graduate my light to any extent.
Such a microphonic rheostat may be made of separate pieces of carbon, or other.
conductor and semi conductor or it may be made of the same materials in the form
of powder, or fraginents, and subjected to pressure in the manner described. I have
noticed that in the switches in general use, the interval between contact, and
contact, is usually filled with some hard substance and that owing to the attrition
of the two metal substances, small particles of metal are rubbed off, and a trail or
smear, of metallic dust formed across such insulating substance, so acting as a
conductor to the current. To overcome this, I replace the hard insulator between
the contacts by a soft substance yielding easily to the switch lever, it may be made
of India rubber, what is known as spongy rubber, or of short wire bristle, bedded
into the insulating substance, separating the contacts, but leaving a small air space
between which, the lever can easily bridge over. As a means of measurement of
the electric current employed in lighting, and for motive purposes. I employ an
adaptation of the device known as Barlows wheel. In this a horse shoc magnet
encloses a disc of copper, mounted on an axle and when a current passes from the axle
by the wheel, to a pool of mercury into which the edge of the disc dips, such disc
rotates. This rotation is proportional to the strength of the current, and by fitting a
suitable indicator or counter to the axle of the disc, I can register the number of turns
and so graduate my indicator as to shew Amperès. To screen off the effects of
extraneous magnetic influence, I enclose my Ampère metre in a thick case of soft iron.
I also use the Electric Lighting conductors as leads proceeding from my rotating
contact, for telegraph Telephone, or Fire alarm purposes, as it is obvious that from a
central station devoted to distributing currents, after the manner described currents
of any magnitude can be sent by simply interposing such resistance, or using derived
circuits as may be needful to obtain the required end. At the central station cach
wire may be led direct from the machine to the subscribers house, or it may pass
through the telephone or telegraph switch board or to the fire alarm lines, resistance
by the usual means being introduced, or a condenser being used, each house of
course being properly connected to earth, and line and shielded by lightening
protector in the usual manner. Altho' for telephone, and telegraph purposes a
single direct wire would give best results, yet this is not absolutely necessary, since
I can employ a species of harmonic instrument, so set as to vibrate or act only in
sympathy with pre arranged notes from the sending station. For telephone work,
I prefer the electrostatic telephone of Dolbear, which acts as a species of condenser.
My Invention also applies to driving vehicles, in inotion, either on rail, tram or
ordinary road, A conductor insulated or not, proceeding from a central station, is
laid between the rails in any convenient position, and my vehicle has means applied
to it, for making contact either continuously or at intervals with my naked or
insulated conducting wire. If the wire be insulated, then means are used whereby
contact may be made with it, at definite intervals, such as rods or contact springs,
projecting upwards from it, and caused to rub against other contact pieces, attached
to the vehicle, or poles, or standards may be used, carrying the conductor as an
ordinary telegraph wire, or as an insulated wire provided with contact studs, at
intervals upon which a brush fixed to the instrument, may be caused to rub, and
in order to avoid spasmodic action in the motor, I use an accumulator or storage
battery, or batteries to receive such impulses, and work my motor from it, A
similar method can be used for street purposes, and road vehicles, charging points,
being set up at fixed distances, So that vehicles may,recharge their storage batteries,
which are charged and placed in such vehicles, before they start upon their journey,'

page_text: this method enables storage batteries of a lighter class to be used. If desired the
conductor conveying the current can be placed inside the rail, and short metal
contacts or standards be made to project from it, so that contact may be made with
the wheel as it passes. This can be done by making the wheel press down an
intermediate longitudinal conductor, upon the insulated standards; the longitudinal
contact rail having sufficient spring to break the contact, when the wheel has
passed. I also make the spring conductor the line and charge it while insulating
the rest of the track. In both these cases one rail is insulated and the
other to earth the current passing through the motor in passing from one, to
the other.
Having now described my improvements, I will proceed to explain by the
accompanying drawings, such points as may be needful.
Fig 1 Shews Side and front views of my dynamo generator The disc wheel A
revolves in front of the two sets of induced bobbins B, B. The field or inducing
disc may be of brass and either segmental slabs of soft iron CC, may be bolted on
to it, or these slabs may each consist of a magnet, North pole, being placed to
north, or North to south as required.
Fig 2 Shews my method of obtaining earth currents, by sinking plates A and B
at suitable depths, in favourable soil, in order to prevent a reverse current entering
my storage battery C. I use a special form of contact break, a needle similarly
mounted to an ordinary galvanometer needle, is so placed, as that the tendency of
the needle shall be to make firm contact with the stop, which with the needle forms
the main circuit, the coil in which the needle is enclosed, being of high resistance
forms a shunt to the main current, and is so arranged as that a current passing
through it, shall cause the needle to press firmly against the stop, if it be of the
right sort, to charge the battery. Should however the current reverse contact is
instantly broken.
Fig 3-Shews another method of charging secondary batteries, by means of a
form of earth battery, made of coke and zinc or other suitable substances.
Fig 4 Shews my method of charging by means of lightening conductor a
lightening protector, is inserted between the conductor, and my battery, and also a
contact breaker as described.
Fig 5 Shews my rotating distributor, A is the dynamo, or other source of power,
B the rotating arm, C the contact points, each supplying a separate circuit upon
which arc and incandescent lamps may be arranged, or a motor, as shewn; the
lamps and motor being in a derived circuit from the batteries.
Fig 6 Represents my method of employing condensers, or absorption batteries,
a lamp is shewn shunted from a set of these.
Fig 7 Shews my vacuum distributor, the contact points, being enclosed under a
glass shade; which is exhausted, a metal or other suitable case may replace the
shade if desired.
Figs 8 and 9 Shew modifications of my Arc lamps. A A are the electro
magnets, or solenoids, B is the conical armature, C is the rod passing through its
centre, which is gripped by the conical clip and springs D D
Figs 10 and 11. Shew two other methods for automatically regulating my are
electric Lamps, A and B are two solenoids of stout wire in circuit with the arc. C,
solenoid of fine wire, in shunt with arc, D D the carbons. When the arc is too
long, the attraction between A. B. & C is feeble aud C rises allowing the arc to
shorten. If desired two pairs of solenoids may be employed, one above and one
below Fig 11. In this case the current would be sent through the solenoid, in
such a way as to assist the action, A hollow cylinder of soft iron may be
substituted for the suspended solenoid, or the suspended solenoids, may be made in
the form of a double cone, and the fixed solenoids instead of being double, may be
single with the suspended solenoid travelling the hollow of both.
Fig 12 Shews a form of Rotary distributor; worked by the current itself. A is
the Rotary arm. a is soft iron piece at end of rotary arm; b contact pieces to
which lines and secondary batteries are connected, S S S secondary batteries to be

page_text: 7
charged m, m electro magnets on derived circuits from lines a portion of current
shunted through each of these magnetizes the coil, and pulls the rotary arm
forward by attraction on the soft iron piece a. thus the arm is kept rotating and
distributing.
Fig 13. Shews my plan, for utilizing electric light, and power leads, in
correspondence. x and y are two electric light or power leads running from a
central station to two private houses A.B. By inserting a condenser C, between
the two lines A can communicate by telegraph, telephone, or signal with B,
without disturbing the electric light, or power currents, in x and y. Should the
latter current, be too intermittent to allow of the communication being distinct,
secondary batteries or induction apparatus, such as electromagnet coils, may be
inserted at S S to destroy the intermittance of the light, and power currents, and
by rendering them continuous enable intelligable communication, to be carried on.
In communicating intelligence along a single light or power conductor, the
condenser is unnecessary but the secondary battery or induction device, may
require to be inserted, in the line for this purpose of rendering the light and
power current continuous.
Fig 14 Shews my. method of storing electricity by means of the suns or
other heat rays, B is the collector or reflector of the rays. T The Thermo electric
generator, $ the secondary battery, L. the lamp or motor.
Fig 15 Represents my microphonic regulator of resistance, AB. A. B. A B, are
microphonic contacts, through which the current is led in series, or in paralle!
circuit, S S S are pressure screws for adjusting the resistance of the contact.
B. B are containing cases. By means of the screws; the resistance in circuit can
be regulated.
Fig 16. Shews the device I employ to prevent sparking at contacts, by
distributor.
Fig 17. Shews my Switch, A is the handle, a. b two brush rest contacts, which
clean the under side of E, the moving contact, C. D metal under contacts separated
by passes, or gullies, from each other. The gullies can be cleaned out occasionally,
also the brush rest contacts, may be interposed between the metal contacts C. D.
When my Electric light leads are used for telegraphy or telephony, and the earth
is used as a common return wire. I sometimes find it necessary, to damp the effect
of neighbouring electric wires, by inserting similar electro magnets, accumulators
or other induction apparatus, between the ends of electric light line, and earth.
I have now described to the best of my ability, by. means of the drawings such
parts of my improvements, as I consider needful, in order that they may be
properly understood. The details shewn and described are not necessarily those,
to which I intend strictly to confine myself, in carrying out my improvements as
they may be modified in many ways to suit circumstances without affecting the
essential features, of my improvements
I claim as under-
1st A generator for feeding storage batteries, accumulators, or absorption
batteries, so constructed, as that the inductor or field, which may consist of soft or
hard iron, permanent magnets or electro magnets, revolves while the induced coils
are stationary, as shewn and described herein
2nd. I claim the combination of a rotary distributor, for dealing out currents
intermittently to a series of lines, with secondary batteries to reunite the currents
substantially as described
3rd. I claim the Electromagnetic Rotary Distributor, substantially as described.
4th. I claim the combination of a Dynamo Electric Machine, giving intermittent
currents to a series of lines, with secondary batteries in these lines to reunite these
currents as described substantially herein
5th I claim tlic method of charging secondary batteries, by the currents in
lightening rods, in the ground and in thermo piles, actuated by solar or other heat,
as described and shewn
6th I claim the method herein. described, for utilizing earth currents, natural or,

page_text: artificial, together with the arrangement herein set forth, for preventing the flow
of reversed currents (to that employed in exciting my secondary batteries) from
entering them.
7th I claim the method of reducing the sparking at the contacts of the
distributor, by, condensers or by the use of the vacuum rotating contact, make and
break described.
8th I claim the use of absorption batteries, for storing electricity, substantially
as described
9th I claim the use of absorption or secondary batteries, as described to regulate
electric lamps substantially as described.
10th I claim the switch with rubber, or hair brushes between the contacts,
substantially as described
11th I claim the methods of forming carbons for electric light, substantially as
described.
12th I claim the method of surrounding carbon points, of an arc lamp with a
collar of refractory material substantially as described.
13th I claim the method of adding salts to the carbons, so as to supply certain
coloured rays such as yellow, red, &c as described herein.
14th I claim the method of constructing an automatic regulator, or lamp as
described.
15th I claim the use of carbon. filament resistances as described.
16th I claim the use of microphonic resistance regulators, substantially as
described.
17th I claim the rotary current metre, substantially as described
18th I claim the method of utilizing electric light and power conductors, for
conveying telegraphic, telephonic, or alarm messages, substantially as described
19th I claim the methods of distributing electric power to motors; and vehicles
substantially as described.
20th I claim the use of induction devices at the ends of electric light circuits,
and the earth, for telegraphic purposes as described.
In Witness whereof I the said John Munro have hereunto set my hand and
seal this Second day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand
eight hundred and eighty two.
Witness,
FRANCIS M ROGER
Engineer 21 Finsbury Pavt.
London E.Č.
JOHN MUNRO. (L.S.)