Improvements relating to the Conduction and Conversion or Change of Tension of Electric Currents and Apparatus therefor.
Year: 1884

page_text: Improvements relating to the Conduction and Conversion or
Change of Tension of Electric Currents and Apparatus
therefor.
I, WILLIAM ROBERT LAKE, of the firm of Haseltine Lake & Co Patent Agents,
Southampton Buildings, in the County of Middlesex do hereby declare the nature
of said Invention for "IMPROVEMENTS RELATING TO THE CONDUCTION AND
CONVERSION OR CHANGE OF TENSION OF ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND APPARATUS
THEREFOR and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :—
"
This Invention relates to a method of and apparatus for reducing galvanic
electricity from a high to a lower tension or vice-versa, and to the production of
such alternating electrical currents as are best suited for the economical action of
the said apparatus. When an electric generator is situated far away from the
place where the electricity is to be used and where the currents are to act at a
low tension, the transmission of such low tension currents is often found to be too
expensive because the copper cables require to be very thick. In such cases I
produce electricity of very high tension which requires only thin cables or wire
for transmission and reduce it to the desired tension by magnets near the place
where it is to be used. The alternating currents suitable for the economical action
of such magnets should change direction very rapidly and then remain constant
between the alternations. Such currents as are generally produced by alternating
current machines are therefore not very suitable because such changes rise and fall
very gradually. The alternations should also not take place too rapidly.
I produce therefore such alternating currents from continuous ones by employing
a commutator in combination with moving and stationary magnets or electro
magnets, which at the moment of reversion induce extra-currents in contrary
directions to the principal ones, whereby the tension of the electricity on those
parts which change contact is so far reduced that no sparks will appear.
In the accompanying Drawings,
Figure I is a side view and Figure II a plan view showing the arrangement of
magnets according to this Invention.
Figures III and IIIb shew details of the same.
Figure V is a front view and Figure VI a side view of a commutator connected
with the magnets to prevent sparks.
Figures IV, VII, XI and XII show details of this arrangement.
Figures VIII, IX and X are modifications of the latter."
Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the Drawings
which are to be regarded mainly as diagrams illustrating the Invention.
гр

page_text: The apparatus shown in Figures I and II consists of three iron bars or cylinders
AAA connected together by the square pieces G, G₁₁. Around the cylinder A
a coil of wire B is wound and around this another coil C the ends c₁, c₁, of which
are connected to the cable that conducts the alternating high tension current to and
from the magnets. All the coils are of insulated copper wire. The ends b₁ b₁, of
coil B are connected to the collectors e₁₁ as shown.
DD indicate a number of coils around the cylinders A₁ A which coils have
their ends also connected to the collectors c, e as shown in Figure II where the
top piece G₁ is supposed to be removed. This connection of the wires is such that
a current flowing in through one of the collectors e, e₁ and out through the other
one would pass into the coil B on the cylinder A, in one direction-and into the
coils D on the cylinders A" and A₁ in the other direction. The position of the
magnetic poles of the cylinder A, is therefore always opposite to those of
the cylinders A and A The three magnets A₁, A, A, are however closed by
the iron pieces G, G₁, so that no free magnetism can appear; this increases the
inductive power of these magnets very much, because the iron is thereby more
capable of receiving a large magnetical moment.
When the reduced induction current can be used as an alternating one, as
incandescent lamps, then the collectors c₁ e₁ are directly connected with the wires
or cables leading to the lamps; but if a continuous current is desired (as for arc
lamps, where it is desired to obviate the danger of the principal high tension
current) the current has first to be led through a cominutator, the same as in
dynamo machines.
To explain the action of these magnets, suppose the principal alternating current
has just reversed its direction, and is now entering through the conductor c' into
coil C and passing out through the conductor c₁₁. The direction of this current is
indicated by the arrow 1+ in Figure-II.This-current excites in coil B which is
-situated between the cylinder A, and the coil C a powerful current 2+ opposite
to itself. In the iron A, magnetic currents are also started in the direction 3+ in
the same direction as in the coil C but as the current 2+ acts also on the iron A,
tending to excite therein magnetic currents in the same direction as itself, which
is contrary to 3+ the magnetizing of the iron is at first retarded which lasts as
long as the current in the coil B is growing by the induction from the current in
the coil C.
The
The current in the coil B is in the first moment of very high tension and
therefore unfit to be led off for use; flowing through the conductor b¹ to the
collector eit selects that way to return to B which offers the least resistance and
this is through the coils D D which are also connected to the collectors e₁, e₁₁•
direction of the current from the coil B in the coils D D is 20 and that of the
magnetical current excited by them in the cylinders A, A₁ is 30. This magnetism
of the cylinders A₁₁ A₁₁, is of the same direction as that which is more slowly
proceeding from the cylinder A, by the direct induction through the principal
current 'in the coil C; the current of the coil B is therefore now assisting the
principal one to magnetise the iron cylinders A, A whereby its electromotive
power is reduced in the coils D D which is partly again replenished in the coil B.
When the iron is magnetised by the induction from the current of the coil B in
the coils D D as well as by the magnetism advancing from the cylinder A, to such
a degree, that the growing magnetic currents by their induction ou the coils D D
can resist the further passage of the current of the coil B through them, then the
latter current is forced to go through the lamps; and as the magnetism is then
growing still further by the advancement from the cylinder A, alone, an opposite
current 4 is induced in the coils D D, which also goes through the lamps with
the current from coil B.
Before the iron is so far saturated with magnetisin that the inductions commence
to slacken, the principal current must alternate again. It is of advantage if such
changes take place momentarily because if the current decreases and grows
gradually the reversing magnetism acts backwards and returns part of the

page_text: electromotive force which was previously consumed by the work of induction,
whereby the effect would be much diminished.
The alternated current entering the coil C now in the direction 1-, cannot at
once reverse the previously accumulated magnetism which still continues to flow
in the former direction 3-; but as these magnetic currents are now declining they
act on coil B inducting there in the direction 2-, which is equal to 3-. The
coil B has just been inducted by the vanishing of the previous current 1+ in the
coil C and is now still inducted by the commencement of the new one there; it is
therefore now very powerfully excited from three sides which all act in the same
direction 2, namely from the previous current 1+, from the one now rising and
from the declining magnetic currents.
The current from the coil B passes again through the coils D D in the
direction 2 (which is equally to 40 and then back to the coil B, as has been
previously explained. Being now the inducting current in the coils D D it
reverses the magnetism in the cylinders A₁ A whereby its power is reduced.
This forced reversion of the magnetism supported by the advancing one from the
cylinder A, inducted by the coil C directly, produces in the coils D D soon a
counter induction to the current of the coil B forcing the latter through the lamps,
while the further increase of the contrary magnetism 5 produces an opposite
current 4, which also passes off for use together with the one from the coil B.
This goes on until the next alternation takes place in C when the same actions are
repeated in contrary directions. The following advantages are obtained by this
inductor.
1. As the coil B is assisting the principal current in the coil C during the time,
when the induction is most intense to excite and distribute the magnetism in a
very large mass of iron by a proportional small coil C having little resistance, the
electro motive force of the principal current is most economically and effectually
used up.
2. As the inducted currents are directly led away from numerous coils DD,
there will be but little extra currents excited in these coils, and consequently less
hindrance to the quick and perfect magnetising of the iron.
3. On account of the large mass of iron which can be used, the alternations of
the principal current can be much less per second whereby a more uniform action
is obtained.
4. The high tension currents inducted at the moment of alternation of the
principal one, which give to alternating currents the evil property of producing in
the human body more or less dangerous shocks, when the conductors are accidently
touched, are not passed off to the lamps, but are economically used as described.
Thereby also the electromotive force of these currents is saved. The electricity
inducted flows off with an equal tension from one alternation to the other, which is
favourable for the economical use in the lamps, as well as for the better and
easier insulation of the conductors. Such currents are also far more economically
converted to a continuous one.
When the principal current is to be converted into such of lower tension by one
single inductor, then the size and mass of the iron in the magnets and of the
copper in the coils must be in a correct proportion to its power. But when
houses or streets are to be lighted along the way the cables take, then any number
of small inductors. may be attached and either the entire principal current or part
of it which may be branched off, led through them.
There may be any number of magnets A₁ A which may be set in a circle
around the one A, where the principal induction takes place. The magnets may
be connected together in any other manner as shown, so for example as is shown in
diagram by Figure IIIb in which the magnetising effect from the principal current
in the coil C on the cylinder A, advances more slowly as it has to pass from one
of the horizontal bars A₁ to the other as is easily understood by inspection of that
Figure. The number form and position of the coils B, C D as also of the magnets

page_text: may be others than those shown in the Figures, without changing thereby the
nature of this Invention.
When the tension of the principal current which may be furnished by a galvanic
battery is to be increased, then the current of the coil B is led in contrary direction
to that explained and shown in the Drawings directly through the coils D D.
The connections of the wires are now different as is shown by the dotted lines in
Figure II and by the Figure III. The current from the coil B flows through the
conductor to the collector c₁₁ (the upper extension of the collector e₁, shown in
Figure I is here not used) then through the coils D D in equal direction to the
vanishing magnetic currents in the cylinders A Am whereby in the coils D D
currents of the same direction are also excited which unite with the one from the
coil B. The latter is therefore now strengthened, and not weakened as before
by the vanishing magnetism. It flows then through the collector e, to the place
where it is to be used, and returns through the conductor b direct to the coil B.
The current from the coil B ceases to flow when the magnetism has vanished,
because the growing magnetisın tends to induct, now in the coil B and in the
coils D, D in opposite directions, so that no current can come to effect. There are
therefore no currents produced while the magnetism grows, but short and most
powerful ones during the vanishing of the same. There are no large coils of fine
wire as in Ruhmhorffs coils necessary to produce this effect and there is
consequently far less of the electromotive force lost by resistance than in other
inductors now used for such purposes. The principal current may in the above
described case be only intermitting instead of alternating.
The commutator reversing the continuous current to an alternating one, should
be situated as near as possible to the inductor. If a number of such are used, one
commutator may serve all, the current being then led from_one_to_the-other-as-an
alternating one.
Figures IV, V and VI show such a commutator.
F is an oscillating
Figure IV shows the reversing mechanism separately.
balance situated between four contact pieces, so that in the position shown its
ends ff are in contact with the pieces H, Hыy and in the reversed position, with
those HH The ends fifu are insulated and of such shape that during the
motion to change contact they do not come out of connection with the one, before
they have contact with the other contact piece. The wires 6 and 9 connected
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to ff lead the alternated current to and from the inductors.
▸
The contact pieces H, and H₁ are connected together by the wires 10 and 11
and the others H₁ Hry by the wire 5. The positive cable coming from the
terminals of the dynamo machine is connected to the wire 5 through the
conductor 2, and the negative one to wires 10 and 11 through the conductor Q₁.
The directions which the current takes, when the balance F changes position are
easily understood on examining. Figure IV. Instead of this balancing commu-
tator F there can as well be used a rotating one with brushes similar to such used
in dynamo machines, as will be explained hereafter. In the Drawings I preferred
to show this balance, because the directions of the current and the action can be
better illustrated by it.
As powerful currents produce destructive sparks on the reversing surfaces of
contact measures are required to prevent such. Such sparks are caused by the
great difference of the tension of the electricity in the changing places of contact.
In dynamo machines producing motive power from electricity, no sparks are
formed when the commutator brushes are set correctly, even if the difference of
tension of the driving current is as much as 2000 volts, it enters through the
brushes on one side, passes through the coils of the moving armature and comes
out through the brushes on the other side of the armature.
The motion of the coils and their iron cores in the magnetic field of the
stationary magnet excites in the moving coils as well as in the coils of the field
magnets extra currents which are contrary to the principal currents flowing there,
and produce equal tensions at the moment when the commutator changes the

page_text: contact in the brushes and contact pieces, so that there is no tendency to produce
sparks. This induction I apply in combination with the commutator as I will now
describe.
K, K, are two horseshoe electromagnets fixed opposite each other; L, L₁ are
rotating electromagnets mounted on the shaft M; the poles / pass closely by the
poles as is seen in Figure VI.
The wires 2 and 3 pass from the coils L, to the collector discs N, and N,
fastened insulatedly to the shaft and those 12 and 13 pass from the coils L
to N and N. Each of these discs is supplied with a brush fastened to the
stands 0, 0, 0 111
111
All the coils are connected by the wires which lead the current to or from them
in such a way that the current passing through these on the one side will be
opposite to those on the other side, when the magnets L, L₁, are in the positions
shown, as is indicated by the arrows in Figure V. The poles k and are therefore
every where opposite ones as is indicated by the letters n and o meaning north and
south poles.
When the balance F is in the position shown in Figure V then the continuous
current coming from the dynamo machine enters through 1 to the brushstand O, and
flows through the brush to disc N₁ wire 2 coils L, L, wire 3 disc N and
brushstand then through wire 4 to the contact piece HIV (the other one
connected also to O₁, by wire 5 is now out of contact) to the balance end f wire
6 lower coils K" and then through wire 7 to the inductor which is not shown in
the Figure.
11
Coming back from there it flows through
balance end f¹ contact piece H, wire 10 and
coils L₁, wire 13 disc Ny and brushstand O₁
the machine. The current is therefore in the
K, K, alternating.
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wire 8 to the upper coils K¹ wire 9
brushstand O, then to N₁ wire 12
and then finally through 14 back to
coils L₁ L₁ continues and in those
When the magnets L, L₁, come into the position Figure VI the whole system
becomes one closed magnet, one magnet strengthening the other, and in all coils
powerful extra currents will then be excited which are opposite to the principal
current in them.
Suppose Figure VII to be a cross section of one leg of the magnet K, with its
coil Ko in which the principal current flows in the direction x, the magnetic
currents flow in same direction y. If now the poles approach the poles of K as
in Figure VI, the magnetic currents y are strengthened which causes in the coil an
opposite current to be inducted in the direction ; now if this extra current is
equal in strength to the principal one x they will combine and annihilate each
other, one being positive and the other negative. There is then a momentary
discontinuance of the free electricity in the coils and in the parts connected to
them, which reduces the tension there. The same condition takes place in the
coils of the magnets L, L₁; at this moment the reversion of the balance F must
take place which is done by the arm fin gearing into the cam fiv fastened to the
shaft.
111
As there is then no current and therefore no difference of tension in the parts
which change contact, there will be no sparks. The moment of reversion must be
exactly regulated by adjusting the position of the cam fiv on the shaft.
The rotating poles being contrary to the stable ones are attracted when they
approach the latter. After the reversion is done, the poles k change and become
equal to the poles which by this time have passed the centre line and commence
to retreat from the poles k, they are therefore now repulsed, and the magnets obtain
thus power to rotate them as well during the approach as also during the retreat of
their poles to or from the stationary ones. This motive power is equivalent to the
electricity annihilated; it is but small because the action is concentrated to a small
part of the time between the alternations, for which aim the poles must be made
narrow in the direction of the shaft and wide in the other and the circle of
revolution of the poles be made proportionally large-more so than is shown in

page_text: the Figures. In order that the speed of revolution may be regulated the shaft
should carry any suitable arrangement by which a proper resistance can be applied
to its motion.
This just described arrangement of the magnets will act very powerfully and is
therefore especially suitable when the commutation is to be carried out for the
entire or a large part of the electricity furnished by the machine and the current
then to be sent on further as an alternating one. The following modification shown
in Figures VIII and IX may be used, when with one commutator several inductors
are to be supplied which may be situated near each other or distributed in
different places and directions. It is here supposed, that three inductors are used,
the inducting current passing first through one, then to the next and so on. For
every inductor the current is commutated separately, the changes following one
another so that while one is reversing, the other two are in full action. I have
drawn the three reversing balances F, F₁ F₁ side by side to show their connections
more plainly.
111
11
The horseshoe magnets L, L₁ are here permanent and made of steel, they are
fastened to the shaft M,, so that their poles 1, 1 rotate closely to the poles k, l, k, of
the three double magnets K, K₁ K which are fixed at an angle of 120 degrees
to one another. One of the wires leading from each of the coils of these magnets
is connected to the lower contact pieces H₁, H of the balance belonging to it
and the other one with the upper ones H, H₁ of the balance next following as is
seen by inspection of the Figure VIII.
111
[V
-
11
The current coming from the dynamo machine enters through wire 1 to 2, H,
f, and 3 to, the first inductor (not shown) coming back from there it passes
through 4, HI 5 and 6 to the coils K¹ then through 7 to the upper contact_
pieces H, H of the next (middle) commutator-in-which-it-now takes the contrary
direction towards-the-second inductor the balance F₁, being here in contrary
position; then it passes through G-coils K₁, and 7. to the third commutator
then down through 6 to coils K and then through 7 = back to the machine.
The magnets K K K are strengthened and the currents in the coils reduced
by extra currents, when the poles approach the poles as has been explainel.
Although this induction is acting directly only on the contact pieces H₁, H, while
they are changing it influences nevertheless also the others H, H₁ because if the
tension is reduced in one part it is also reduced in the other parts, which have
connection with it.
11
111
111
In this combination the magnetism in the poles k does not change and the
poles are therefore not repulsed but still attracted when retreating from the
poles consequently the magnets L, L will not rotate selfacting but must be
rotated by the application of a small power. In this case there is only a
consumption of power but none of electricity.
Figure X is another modification of the connections of the commutators with
the coils of the magnets, which may be constructed as before and are here not
shown. The connections of the contact pieces with those of the next commutator
are plainly shown in the Figure. The ends f₁ f₁ of the balances are here getting
entirely out of contact while being reversed, which, position is shown by the
middle one F The wires 3 and 4 which pass the alternated current to the
inductor and back, again, are each pair connected to the coils of the magnet K
(in Figures VIII and IX) belonging to them, in such a way that the one wire 3
is forming the coil for the one leg of the magnet, and the other 4 the coil for the
other in order that both ends may be equally inducted. When the described
reduction of the tension takes place, the balance-ends f₁, fu go out of contact
with the pieces H, Hy into the position of F₁, where the contact is interrupted.
If now contact is to be established with the contact pieces H₁, H,,, there must first
be produced in the balance ends f₁ f₁ a tension of the same kind as the said
contact pieces have. The tension in H₁ is negative and that in H₁ positive,
therefore the tension in f₁ must be made negative and in f₁ positive. Such
tensions are excited. in f, and f during the retreat of the poles from the
11
11
1
11
11

page_text: poles K while the current is not yet changed, which motion tends to induct a current
in the coils K opposite to the extra current excited before; as there is no contact
this current cannot come to circulation which however will not prevent the tension
being established in that sense. The contact can then take place without sparks,
which produces a reversal of the poles, by which then the poles are repulsed,
so that they will now rotate selfacting.
In the arrangements shown in Figures VIII IX and X the extra currents and
interruptions influence also the other inductors in which the current is just then
not to be changed, and excite there inductions, which are not desired. These
interruptions have however only a very short duration, and will not affect the
large magnets of the inductors considerably as their magnetical moment acts as a
regulator, they can be avoided to a great extent, if the inductors with their
commutators are not connected in series but in parallels by branches, leading off
from the main conductor. This would lessen also the power of the magnets
required for the excitement of the extra currents, as these have then to act only
on that part of the current, which is branched off and not on the entire current.
The inducted currents are to be led away from each of the inductors separately
to a number of lamps, or when a continuous current is desired to a commutator
to collect them as in dynamo machines.
The Figures IX and XII show a rotating mechanical commutator which may
be used in place of the balance F. H₁ H₁, are two insulated discs, fastened
insulatedly to the shaft M and forming on the sides towards each other two half
discs, on which the brushes ff (shown only in Figure XII) act in the same way,
as they do in dynamo machines. On the full circle of these discs the pieces P₁ P₁I
glide which lead the current coming through 1 from the machine to the disc H, and
away from the other one H₁ through 6. The alternated current is led through
the brushes ff, and 3 and 4 to and from the inductor.
It is self evident that the motions of the magnet or magnets L must not be
positively rotating but that equally well vibrating, reciprocating or oscillating
motions can be applied to it with the same effect. It is desirable to have such
motions similar to those described for the balance F that is to say first instantaneous
and then resting quiet until the next change.
When the current in the moveable or in the stationary magnets is alternating,
then there are contrary extra currents inducted also during the retreat as well as
during the approach of the poles 1 from or to the poles therefore when the motion
of L is a reciprocating one it may be situated between two stationary ones so that
while its poles on one side approach the poles of the one magnet, its poles on the
other side retreat from the poles of the other and thereby in all coils of the
magnets L K extra currents will be inducted which flow contrary to the principal
current passing through these coils as described. The reversion or the breaking
of the current can then take place during each single back or forward
motion of the magnet. When L L are electro magnets the discs N, N₁
NN and their brushes (as shown in Figures V and VI) are not required as
the connections of the coils L could be made simply by wires which vibrato
slightly.
To avoid the entire magnet or magnets L having to make the said alternating
motions, the pole picces are arranged to make such motion by which the momentary
closing or opening of the magnetical connections between the magnets LC and
L is established.
Figures XIII and XIV show such an arrangement in which K and L are parts
of the magnets (only the pole ends being shown) which are both stationary, and
and the pole pieces of which the latter oscillates in a socket of the magnet L.
In the position of shown in Figure XIII the magucts are connected or closed and
in the position shown in Figure XIV they are opened.
When two coils through which currents flow are moving relatively to each other
(as for example when one coil is sliding backwards, and forwards within another
one) or when a coil is moving in a magnetic field then there are also contrary extra

page_text: currents inducted by said motions in the coils as is well known and practiced in
the art, such coils are therefore equivalent to the magnets K and L herein described
and can as well be used instead of them.
The sparks which appear when the contact is interrupted can be reduced also by
a wiro coil without magnet which is like the coils K situated near the contact
picces H in the commutator and in which the wire is wound in such a manner
that the current flows in one layer of the windings to the right and in the next
layer to the left and so on alternating. The contrary directions of the current
flowing through these layers cause contrary extra currents to be inducted from one
layer to the other which reduces the principal current and thus reduces the sparks
at the moment when the contact is broken and the current interrupted.
Although the sparks which appear when the contact is closed are thereby not
diminished but increased this arrangement may be used especially when small
parts of the current are to be alternated by a commutator because in such cases
only the sparks due to the interruption of the current are to be considered
destructive while those due to the closing of current are only insignificant and
do no harm.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of the said
Invention and in what manner the same is to be performed declare that what
I claim is
1. The electrical inductor for producing induction currents of lower or higher
tension than that of the inducting principal current, substantially as herein described.
2. The arrangement in such inductors of the coil or coils B situated within or
outside the principal inducting coil or coils C, within which a powerful secondary
current is inducted at the time when the principal current is reversed or interrupted,
which is conducted to one or more coils D where its electromotive force.is.decreased
or increased.by.magnetical-inductions of or from the iron bars or cylinders A placed
inside of them or within their sphere of action substantially as and for the purposes
herein described.
'
3. For producing from a continuous current such interrupted or alternating
currents as are best suited for the said inductor the combination of a commutator
or interruptor with one or more sets of moveable and stationary magnets L K
or their equivalents which by the relative motion of the one, to or from the other
induct extra currents in coils placed around them or within the sphere of their
action, by which the tension of the electricity in the commutator or interruptor
is so reduced that no destructive sparks will be generated during the interruptions
or change of the contact.
4. The combination of one or any number of inductors with the said commutator
or interruptor and of the magnets L K for the purpose as herein set forth.
5. The herein described method of conducting a continuous current of high
tension to the place where it is to be used and of then changing it, or a part of
it which is branched off from the main conductor, into alternating currents of
equal tension and of such description as has herein been set forth to be best
appropriated for the induction of low tension currents, that is to say into currents
which alternate instantaneously and then remain constant till the next alternation
takes placo.
Dated thin and 1 f Amil 1001
HASELTINE, LAKE & Co.,
For the Applicant.