IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH ELECTRIC LAMPS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to George Guillaume Andre, of Dorking, in the County of
Surrey, for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH
ELECTRIC LAMPS."
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said George Guillaume Andre at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 11th November 1881.
"IMPROVE-
George GUILLAUME ANDRE, of Dorking, in the County of Surrey.
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH ELECTRIC LAMPS."
According to this Invention I apply a positive and independent feed to the
positive carbon of an are lamp, and so that the said feed is only applied when there
is any need for it, but then acting automatically. For this purpose I apply a shunt
circuit in connection with feed magnets and with feed controlling magnets which
admit or refuse the entry of a very small current to the said feed magnets, all
according as the are requires adjusting or not, the said feed current passing through
a small independent wire which may be common to a great number of lamps, and
the said feed current being regularly intermittently supplied from the source of
electricity by some suitable constantly revolving contact maker and breaker. The
feed controlling magnets are wound with many fine coils offering a great resistance,
so that only a very small part of the lighting current passes through the same.
controlling mechanism acting with the controlling magnets may be in the form of
a gate shaped armature turning between the poles of the magnet and in connection
with a weighted lever and suitable contacts.
The
The positive carbon may be fed up by rack and pinion or by the magneto-
frictional appliances described in the Specification of my Patent, dated 13th June
1881, No. 2563.
The feed magnets together with the rack and pinion and carbon may be all carried
by an iron plate which acts as an armature to the magnet for striking the arc, and
all contained in a tube or casing, the upper part of which carries the negative
carbon holder and the globe.

page_text: In order to indicate any irregularity or change in the current for the lamps
owing to alterations in the speed of the generator or motor or in the number of
lamps alight, or in the accidental variations in the resistance in the circuit or from
other causes, and in order generally to indicate the strength of the current at
starting of the motor or at any other time, I provide visible and audible indicating
signals so that the man in charge of the motor or generator may be instantly
advised thereby. I place in the main circuit in the engine room, or for instance in
the manager's office, solenoid appliances in connection with a core and a balance
weighted according to the strength of current desired to be maintained, and
adjustable according to requirements, and in connection with the said balance I use
visible signals such as semaphores and audible signals such as bells. These
indicators are also applicable to electric lamps in general.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed
by the said George Guillaume Andro in the Great Seal Patent Office on the
11th May 1882.
GEORGE GUILLAUME ANDRÉ, of Dorking, in the County of Surrey. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN AND CONNECTED WITH ELECTRIC LAMPS."
According to this Invention I apply a positive feed to the positive carbon of an
arc lamp by means of a separate or independent current, and so that the said feed
is only applied when there is any need for it, but then acting automatically. For
this purpose I use a shunt circuit or an independent circuit in connection with feed
magnets and feed controlling magnets, which latter admit or refuse the entry of a
very small current from the said shunt or independent circuit to the said feed
magnets, all according as the are requires adjusting or not, the said feed current
passing through a relatively small independent wire which may be common to a
great number of lamps, and the said feed current being regularly intermittently
supplied from the source of electricity by some suitable constantly revolving
contact maker and breaker.
The feed controlling magnets are wound with many fine coils offering a great
resistance, so that if a short circuit is used only a very small part of the lighting
current passes through the same. The controlling mechanism acting with the
controlling magnets may be in the form of a gate shaped armature turning between
the poles of the magnet and in connection with a weighted lever and suitable
contacts.
The positive carbon may be fed up by rack and pinion or by the magneto-
frictional appliances described in the Specification of my Patent, dated 13th June
1881, No. 2563, or by any other suitable well known means.
Figure 1 of the accompanying Drawings is a vertical sectional view of a lamp
constructed according to this Invention; Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view at
right angles to that of Figure 1. This Figure is shown in two parts and on two
separate sheets, in order to avoid reducing the Drawing to a very small scale.
Figure 3 is a plan section on line A, A, Figure 2 shewing specially the are starting
magnet for the upper or negative carbon. Figure 4 is a plan section through line
B, B, Figure 2 showing specially the feed magnet and the feed controlling magnet
for the lower or positive carbon. Figure 5 is a side view of the said feed
magnet, and Figure 6 a side view of the said feed controlling magnet. Figures 7
and 8 are detail plan views of the lower carbon gripping roller appliances. Figures
9 and 10 are end elevation and side elevation of the lamp complete. I have in this
case shewn the Invention applied to a lamp in which the positive carbon is fed up
by rack and pinion.
Figures 11 to 14 are views of a contact maker and breaker, which will be
specially referred to and described further on.
Figures 15 to 17 are views of an indicating apparatus, which will also be
specially referred to and described further on.
.
Referring to Figures 1 to 10 the holder A for the lower or positive carbon A' is
formed as a tooth rack into which gears a pinion A², the spindle A' of which carries
a pawl wheel A³; the spindle A' rests in bearings on a bracket or standard A* and
forms itself the fulcrum bearing for two links or levers B, to which is fixed the
armature B for the feed electro magnet B2; to this latter is jointed the pawl B³,
which engages with the pawl wheel A³ and imparts a partial turn thereto and to
the pinion A, thus raising the carbon holder A and carbon A¹ when the armature B¹
is attracted by the electro magnet B².

page_text: :
This will however only take place when there is any need for it, that is when
the arc becomes too long and the resistance hence increases in the main circuit.
Hence although as stated in the preamble I provide a small feed current at regular
intervals, yet this current is not made available for feeding up the carbon except
there is a need for it.
For this purpose I make use of a feed controlling appliance, which may
conveniently be constructed, as here shown more especially at Figures 2, 4, and 6.
It consists of an electro magnet C wound with fine wire and having polo
pieces C¹, C¹, between which latter a pivoted armature C³ is arranged to work,
the said pole pieces and armature being formed concave and convex respectively to
correspond as shown; the armature C2 is fixed on a horizontal spindle C³, which is
mounted in centres on the carriage or bracket C*; on the spindle C is also fixed a
double armed lever C³, the horizontal arm of which carries a weight c, see Figure 4,
and the vertically descending arm of which operates between the insulated contact c¹
having an ebonite point and the non-insulated contact c².
The lower carbon A' and holder A are enclosed in a tube D, on which fits
the contact carriage D¹, Figures 1, 2, 7, and 8, having four springs D³, to the
upper ends of which are fixed the brackets D³ in which are mounted the V grooved
contact rollers D; these latter are by the springs D² pressed against the carbon A';
as the current thus enters the carbon near the are I avoid the variable, and when
starting with a fresh carbon considerable resistance of the carbon to the current
which is now experienced, whereas heretofore the current is made to traverse the
whole length of the carbon.
The electro magnets_B2_and_C_and_their_mechanism-aro-fixed-on-the-metal-
plate M³, which rests on the wooden base M and are enclosed in case N, in the
top of which the tube D is guided; to this tube is secured the cap d, and to the
casing N is secured the tube d', which latter is insulated from the tube D and
cap d by the rings d2 and d³, so that the case N may be lifted, the tube d' sliding
within the part d while inspecting the parts contained within the case N.
E is the are starting electro magnet which is included in the main circuit; its
armature E' is by a rod E³ jointed to one end of a lever E³, the opposite end of
which is jointed to a link E' on a ring E, which embraces the holder F for the
upper or negative carbon F¹.
The electrical connections of the parts of the lamps are as follows:-The starting
magnet E is in the negative end H of the main circuit; the feed maguet B³ is in
a shunt circuit of fine wire; the feed controlling wire I is shewn as a duplex
cable, one wire I¹ passes up to the binding screw K¹ and the other wire I² up to
the binding screw K; both these binding screws are on the wooden base M; the
terminal K is connected to the terminal L' on the bracket L³, which latter is
insulated from the carriage C, and the terminal K2 is connected to terminal L
on the carriage C, which is insulated from the plate M. The coils of the feed
magnet B are by wires b and b' connected to the terminals L' and L. The coils
of the feed controlling magnet are by wires P and P₁ connected respectively to the
terminal on the metal plate M', and to the terminal Q' for the negative cable
end H on the wooden base M.
For the supply of feed current at regular frequent intervals various arrangements
of contact makers and breakers may be applied. I will however now describe one
which I have found suitable for the purpose.
Figure 11 is a side view of a contact maker and breaker combined with and
actuated by a small dynamo machine, supplied with current from the main dynamo
or from a battery; Figure 12 is a plan section through line C, C, of Figure 13,
which latter (Figure 13) is a vertical cross section; Figure 14 is a plan view of
the upper or contact make and break part only.
A, A, and B, B, are the electro magnets, the pole pieces C₁ of which are united
and of circular form to encircle the armature ring D; E, E, are the brushes. The
central spindle F is by wheel gearing G, G', connected to the upper spindle H,
which causes the double or forked contact spring I that revolves against the ebonito

page_text: disc J, which latter has brass contact pieces K, Figure 14, which by binding
screws L, L, are thus brought into intermittent electrical connection with the
contact spring, and at each revolution of the spindle H causes a current to be sent
into the comparatively fine insulated wire or cable which is connected to all the
lamps, say, even hundreds of them, irrespective of whether the said lamps are on
the same or on separate circuits.
The action of the lamp is as follows:-Referring particularly to Figures 1 and 2.
When the lamp current is turned on the armature E is attracted, the outer end of
lever E³ is pulled down whilst its opposite end is raised, thereby canting the
ring E' and gripping and raising the holder F for the negative carbon F', and thus
establishing the arc. As the are lengthens the resistance in the main circuit is
increased, and the shunt current through the feed controlling magnet C becomes
greater, thereby causing the armature C² to be attracted, raising the weight c and
breaking contact with C'; when the feed current is sent through the cable I and
the contact between C3 and C' exists, the current will enter the bracket L³, passing
through the lever C³, enter the carriage C', passing thence out by the binding
screw L to the terminal K. If the contact between C3 and C' is broken the
feed current, instead of passing to the carriage C' through the lever C, will pass
to the carriage by another route, viz., by the coils of the feed magnet B. The
armature B will now be attracted, thus producing the feed by the action of the
pawl B³, pawl wheel A³, pinion A, and the rack on the carbon holder A. The
cessation of the feed current (which currect acts only during a moment of time)
releases the armature B', which by its spring B' is returned to its former position.
The shortening of the arc by this feed action weakens the current in the feed
controlling magnet C, and the weight c restores the contact between lever C and
contact C2
Thus however often the intermittent feed current arrives at the bracket L³, a
feed will only be produced when the contact between C3 and C is broken, that is,
when the armature C is attracted in consequence of the lengthening of the arc.
In order to indicate any irregularity or change in the current for the lamps
owing to alterations in the speed of the generator or motor, or in the number of
lamps alight, or in the accidental variations in the resistance in the circuit, or from
other causes, and in order generally to indicate the strength of the current at
starting of the motor or at any other time, I provide visible and audible indicating
signals, so that the man in charge of the motor or generator may be instantly
advised thereby; I place in the main circuit in the engine room, or, for instance, in
the manager's office, solenoid appliances in connection with a core and a weighted
balance according to the strength of current desired to be maintained and adjust-
able according to requirements, and in connection with the said balance I use
visible signals such as semaphores and audible signals such as bells. These
indicators are also applicable to electric lamps in general.
Figure 15 is a vertical longitudinal section through such a signal or indicating
apparatus; Figure 16, a vertical cross section; and Figure 17, a plan of same.
M is a solenoid inserted in the main circuit; its soft iron hollow core N is connected
to a lever O, the outer or longer end of which is poised between the upper and the
lower contacts Q and P respectively, the former being by a small wire connected to
the electro magnet R, and the latter similarly to the electro magnet S; T is a rod
suspended from the lever O, and carrying a weight U; V is a box weight placed
over the weight U, and resting on the base board B of the apparatus. The
spindle X carries a signal disc X³, having different colors on its two faces; this
spindle is by a pinion X geared with the sector wheel Y' as the spindle Y', which
also carries an anchor shaped armature Y, which can be attracted either by the
electro magnet R, or by the electro magnet S; or the original disc may be con-
nected to the lever in any other suitable manner, both by preference by electrical
means, so as to relieve it of mechanical strain or weight, and so as to easily connect
it with an ordinary electric bell, which, as will be understood, is. in the instance
here shown supposed to be on the circuit of the electro magnets Raud S; or I may

page_text: use two such bells of different tone, one connected to R and the other to S. The
action is as follows:-The weight U being adjusted for the normal strength of
current the end of the lever O will be clear of the contacts P and Q. Should the
strength of the current increase sufficiently to draw the core end in so far that the
rod T in using lifts the weight U, and so that the lever makes contact with
the peg a current is sent through the electro magnet S, which attracts the
armature Y causing the spindle X' and disc X to be turned one fourth round,
displaying one face of the disc X³, and at the same time setting the bell
ringing.
If, on the other hand, the main current should become too weak the weight on
the lever will overbalance the magnetic action on the core N, and the lever O
drops on the peg P, causing a current to be sent to the electro magnet R, and thus
causing the spindle X¹ and disc X³ to turn one fourth round in the opposite
direction from its normal position shewn, and thus displaying the opposite side of
the disc at the same time, and also setting the bell ringing.
With reference to the first part of this Invention, I wish it to be distinctly
understood,―
First. That the feed current is separate from and may be independent of the
main or lighting current.
Second. That this feed current is only momentarily established at intervals
varying with the strength of the main current when the feed current is not inde-
pendent of the main current, and at fixed intervals when an independent feed
current is used, or when the make and brake appliances are driven by mechanical
means.
Third. That this feed current, though it is sent into the lamp at certain intervals
of time, yet has no effect upon the feed mechanism till the automatic action of the
lamp brings that mechanism within the influence of the feed current, hence the
feed action is in no sense independent, nor does it take place periodically, but it is
determined solely by the length of the arc, and takes place only when the length
becomes too great.
Fourth. That no two lamps in the circuit necessarily feed at the same time.
Fifth. That the system requires but one separate wire to carry the feed current
to any reasonable number of lamps; that the feed controlling mechanism is contained
within the lamp.
Sixth. That no readjusting or restriking of the arc is required, as in some other
systems.
I claim,-
First. The mode of feeding the carbons of a number of electric arc lamps in the
same or in different circuits by means of a constantly intermittent current con-
veyed by a separate wire, the said current being controlled in its action on each
lamp by the length of the arc in the lamp, so that at any time when in any lamp
or lamps the arc becomes unduly lengthened their feed magnets will be supplied
from said current by feed current controlling appliances on such lamps, while all
the other lamps are excluded from its action by the feed current controlling
appliances on such other lamps, substantially as set forth.
Second. In an electric are lamp a feed magnet B arranged on a separate circuit
in combination with a feed controlling magnet C having pole pieces C¹ and weighted
armature C, with lever operating between contacts c, c¹, and wire connections
I, L, b, I, L, 6, Q, P2, G, and H, Q', P, and with means for supplying a separate
current at regular intervals for the purpose of admitting such current to the feed
magnet B when the arc becomes lengthened, substantially as set forth.
Third. An electric arc lamp in which the positive carbon holder A when the
voltaic are lengthens is fed up by pawl wheel A³ and pawl B³ from the armature B¹
of a feed magnet B2 through means of a constantly intermittently supplied separate
feed current, which is only then admitted to the feed magnet B2 by a feed con-
trolling magnet C, having an armature acting like a gate, all the aforesaid
mechanism being enclosed in a casing N, the electrical connections being arranged

page_text: as shewn on the Drawing, and the negative carbon holder being connected to the
armature E' of an arc starting magnet E in the main circuit, substantially as set
forth.
Fourth. The revolving contact make and break apparatus, consisting of a double
contact spring I, which is révolved against an ebonite or other insulating disc J,
having contact pieces K by means of wheel gearing from an armature ring D
within electro magnets A, B, C, substantially as set forth.
Fifth. A current strength indicator, consisting of a solenoid M, the core N of
which is connected to the short end of a lever O, the longer end of same being
connected to weights U and V, and poised between upper contact Q and lower
contact P, the former Q in connection with an electro magnet R, and the latter P in
connection with an electro magnet S, the said magnets R and S operating with an
electric alarum and with an arinature Y on a spindle Y', which by sector wheel Y
and pinion X on a signal disc spindle X¹ causes the latter to be turned round a
quarter of a turn one way or the other, thereby displaying one face or the other
of the signal disc X2, and simultaneously putting in action the electric alarum,
substantially as set forth.
Sixth. The application to electric lamps of apparatus for indicating in a visible
and audible manner any variation in the current strength, substantially as set forth.
In witness whereof, I, the said George Guillaume André, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, this Ninth day of May, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and eighty two.
GEO. G. ANDRE,
(L.S.)