Improvements in Measuring Alternating Currents of Electricity.
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 8th Nov., 1887
Complete Specification Left, 7th Aug., 1888
Complete Specification Accepted, 8th Nov., 1888
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Measuring Alternating Currents of Electricity.
We, WILLIAM LOWRIE, of No. 117 Bishopsgate Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, CHARLES JAMES HALL of No. 1 Portland Road, Finsbury Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, and HAROLD WERNER KOLLE of Egremont, Tulse
Hill, in the County of Surrey, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
Our invention relates to a method of measuring alternating currents of electricity,
and it consists in differentiating the wave of potential so that there is a slight pre-
ponderance upon one side of the neutral line, over the other. The difference of
potential is available for doing the work of measurement, either by mechanical means,
or by chemical action.
The differentiation may be produced by the introduction of an intermittent current,
acting upon the pulsations of the main current in such a manner, that the potential, in
one direction, of the main current is slightly higher than the potential acting in the
other direction; or by a retarding influence or resistance opposing the main current
in one direction only; or by the introduction of a constant electro motive force into
the circuit, acting to reinforce the potential wave of the main current in one direction,
and to retard it in the opposite direction.
The differentiation can be effected by various means; and it may originate in the
alternating current generating machine itself; or in a device or devices outside of
or exterior to, the generating apparatus; and acting upon the flow of the current.
When produced by exterior means, the differentiation may be accomplished by a
dynamo machine; by a primary or secondary battery; or by other means resulting
in the desired manner. To illustrate our invention more clearly, we give an example
of an apparatus for measuring alternating currents, and operating in a manner above
mentioned.
Let it be required to measure the current duration of a number of lamps in a
lighting circuit. We place in the lamp circuit a voltaic cell which comprises two
dissimilar metals, placed in an acid or alkaline solution. When an alternating current

page_text: is passed through this cell and the lamp circuit, the passage or flow of the current is
alternately retarded or assisted by the normal electro motive force set up in the cell
itself which normal current causes a wasting or loss of weight of the positive
electrode. As the resistance of the lamps, in the lamp circuit, varies according to the
number and kind used, and the duration of the flow of current through the same; so
does the current vary in the cell which acts upon the positive electrode. This current
is directly proportional to the electro motive force of the cell and the resistance of the
lamp circuit; and the action of the cell, therefore, becomes available as a current
measure.
Another method is to use a primary or a secondary battery in series with a
deposition cell, and the lamp circuit; the current then obtained from the action of
the primary or secondary cell, causes an electro deposition of metal in the deposition
cell. The deposition cell may be of any ordinary kind a suitable one for the purpose
being two copper plates in a solution of copper sulphate. The amount of metal lost
or gained by the respective plates or electrodes, thus becomes a measure of the
number of ampère hours of current energy in the lamp circuit.
When secondary generators or converters are used, the differentiation of the current
may be produced in the secondary circuit, or in the primary. If the differentiation
is effected in the primary circuit, it is then reproduced in the secondary circuit by
induction.
Dated this 8th day of November 1887
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicants.

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in Measuring Alternating Currents of Electricity.
We, WILLIAM LOWRIE of No. 117, Bishopsgate Street, in the City of London,
Engineer, CHARLES JAMES HALL of No. 1, Portland Road, Finsbury Park, in the
County of Middlesex, Electrician, and HAROLD WERNER KOLLE of Egremont, Tulse
Hill, in the County of Surrey, Electrician, do hereby declare the nature of this
invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly described
and ascertained in and by the following statement:-
=
Our invention relates to a method of measuring alternating currents of electricity,
and it consists in differentiating the wave of potential so that there is a slight
preponderance upon one side of the neutral line, over the other. The difference of
potential is available for doing the work of measurement, either by mechanical means,
or by chemical action.
The differentiation may be produced by the introduction of an intermittent current,
acting upon the pulsations of the main or alternating current in such a manner, that
the potential of the main current, in one direction, is slightly higher than the
potential in the other direction; or, by a retarding influence or resistance opposing
the main current in one direction only; or, by the introduction of a constant electro
motive force into the circuit, which, re-enforcing the potential wave of the main current
in one direction, would retard it in the opposite direction. The difference of potential
always accompanies the main current, and is proportional thereto. By means of the
differentiation (however produced) we obtain results, which, knowing the constant or
ratio adopted, gives us the measurement of the main current.
The differentiation can be effected by various means, and it may originate in the
alternating current generating machine itself; or in a device or devices outside of, or
exterior to, the generating apparatus, and acting upon the flow of the current.
When produced by exterior means, the differentiation may be accomplished by a
dynamo machine; by a primary or secondary battery or by other means having the
desired result. To illustrate our invention more clearly, we give an example of an
apparatus for measuring alternating currents, and operating in a
mentioned.
manner above
When
Let it be required to measure the current duration or flow of current through a
number of lamps in a lighting circuit. We place in the lamp circuit a voltaic cell
which comprises two dissimilar metals, placed in an acid or alkaline solution.
an alternating current is passed through this cell and the lamp circuit, the passage or
flow of the current is alternately retarded or assisted by the normal electro motive
force set up in the cell itself, which normal current causes a wasting or loss of weight
of the positive electrode. As the resistance of the lamps, in the lamp circuit, varies
according to the number and kind used, and the duration of the flow of current
through the same; so does the current vary in the cell which acts upon the positive
electrode. This current is proportional to the electro motive force of the cell and
the resistance of the lamp circuit: the electro-chemical action of the cell, therefore,
becomes available as a current measure.

page_text: Another method is to use a primary or a secondary battery in series with a deposition
cell, and the lamp circuit. The current then obtained from the action of the primary
or secondary cell, causes an electro deposition of metal in the deposition cell. The
deposition cell may be of any ordinary kind: a suitable one for the purpose being two
copper plates in a solution of copper sulphate. The amount of metal lost or gained
by the respective plates or electrodes, thus becomes a measure of the number of
ampère hours of current energy in the lamp circuit.
When secondary generators or converters are used, the differentiation of the current
may be produced in the secondary, or in the primary circuit. If the differentiation is
effected in the primary circuit, it is then reproduced in the secondary circuit by
induction.
The diagrams shown by the figures in the accompanying drawings indicate several
arrangements of our invention as adapted for use in both primary and secondary
circuits. In these diagrams, or figures, a, indicates the generator; a', the main
circuit a², the secondary circuit; b, the lamps or other appliances in which electrical
energy is expended; c, converter or secondary generator; d, depositing cell; and e
an electro motive force.
Fig. 1. is a diagram of a circuit arranged in parallel, with a constant electro motive
force e, and a depositing cell d, placed in the circuit. The differential action of the
current, causes an electro deposition of metal in the depositing cell, by the influence
of the electro motive force e on the alternating electro motive force; which,
being proportional to the amount of electricity passed through b, becomes a measure
of the same.
Fig. 2 is a diagram of a similar circuit, but without the deposition cell. In this
arrangement, one of the electrodes of the constant electro motive force e loses weight
proportional to the electricity passed through b, and this loss becomes a measure of
the same.
Fig. 3 is a diagram of a converter circuit, where both primary and secondary
circuits are coupled in parallel; the primary circuit, a¹, inducing currents in a
secondary circuit a², by means of a converter or secondary generator c. A depositing
cell d, and a constant electro motive force e, are placed in the secondary circuit a²;
thus becoming a measure as described in relation to Fig. 1.
Fig. is a diagram of a similar arrangement to that shown by Fig. 3, but without
the deposition cell. The electro motive force e, in the secondary circuit a has one
electrode losing weight, as explained in relation to Fig. 2.
Fig. 5 is also a parallel converter circuit arrangement. The electro motive force e, in
this case, is placed in the primary circuit a; and the deposition cell d. is placed in
the secondary circuit a². The differentiation of the electro motive force produced by
the constant electro motive force e, in the primary circuit a', is reproduced by
induction in the secondary circuit a², by means of the converter c; electro deposition
resulting in the depositing cell d.
In Fig. 6. the diagram indicates several converters, c, c, placed in sories in the
primary circuit a which induce current in several secondary circuits a², a², arranged
in parallel. Both the electro motive force e, e, and deposition cells d, d, are placed
in the said secondary circuits, and thus become a measure for the electricity passed
as described in relation to Fig. 1.
Fig. 7. is also a converter series arrangement, but having the electro motive force e
in the primary circuit a¹ and depositing cells in the several secondary circuits a²;
the differentiation of the electro motive force produced by e being reproduced in the
secondary circuits by the converters c, c, as in Fig. 5.
Fig. 8. is another converter series arrangement, the constant electro motive
force e, e, being placed in the several secondary circuits a², a², one electrode losing
weight as explained in relation to Fig. 2.
in
Fig. 9 is a parallel converter circuit arrangement. The electro motive force e,
this case, is used in a seperate winding of the converter c. This, in combination
with the primary circuit a, produces by induction a differentiated current in the
secondary circuit a; electro deposition resulting in the depositing coll, d, as in fig. 5.

page_text: It is to be understood that e may not only indicate a constant electro motive force,
(acting to re-enforce the potential wave of the main or alternating electro motive
force in one direction, and to retard it in the opposite), but also an equivalent to the
above, in cases where the description or arrangement does not otherwise conflict.
For example, an intermittent electro motive force, acting upon the main or
alternating electro motive force, to increase the potential in one direction; or, a
resistance opposing the main or alternating electro motive force in one direction,
may be considered equivalents. It is also to be understood that the depositing
cell d may be used in a shunt.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of our said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed we declare that what
we claim is:
1. Differentiating the wave of potential of an alternating current of electricity so
that the quantity of electric current, in opposite directions, is unequal; substantially
as and for the purpose described.
2. Applying a continuous electro motive force to an alternating electric current
circuit; substantially as and for the purpose described.
3. Applying an intermittent electro motive force to an alternating electric
current circuit; substantially as and for the purpose specified.
4. Applying a resistance to an alternating current circuit whereby the alternate
current potential is reduced in one direction only; substantially as and for the purpose
described.
5. The application to measuring purposes of the unequal action of a differentiated
alternating current of electricity; substantially as described.
6. The combination of a direct current dynamo electric machine, with an
alternating electric current circuit; substantially as and for the purpose described.
7. The combination of a primary or a secondary battery with an alternating electric
current circuit; substantially as described.
8. The combination of a primary or a secondary battery with a deposition cell,
and an alternating electric current circuit; substantially as described.
9. Measuring the amount of work done in an alternating electric current circuit
by the waste or gain in weight of an electrode; substantially as described.
10. The combination of an equal potential alternating electric current "primary
circuit, with a differentiated potential alternating electric current secondary circuit,
and a
means of measuring the expenditure of current energy in the latter;
substantially as described.
⚫ 11.-Reproducing by induction in a secondary alternating electric current
circuit a differentiated wave of potential energy acting in a primary circuit;
substantially as described.
12-The several arrangements and combinations indicated by the diagrams
Figs. 1 to
inclusive; substantially as and for the purpose described.
Dated this 16th day of June 1888
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicants.
FAIRFAX & WETTER,
433, Strand, London,
Agents for the Applicants.