IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSES OF CONSTRUCTION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC WIRES AND CABLES
Year: 1882

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Alfred Julius Boult of the firm of W. P. Thompson
& Boult Agents for Foreign Patent Solicitors of 323 High Holborn in the
County of Middlesex and 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the county of
Lancaster Engineer for an Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN PROCESSES OF
CONSTRUCTION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC WIRES AND CABLES
"
Communicated to him from abroad by Richard. S. Waring of Pittsburg in
the county of Allegheny and state of Pennsylvania in the United States
of America.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION filed by the said Alfred Julius Boult at the
Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 29th November 1882.
ALFRED JULIUS BOULT of the firm of W P Thompson & Boult Agents for
Foreign Patent Solicitors of 323 High Holborn in the County of Middlesex
and 6 Lord Street Liverpool in the County of Lancaster Engineer. "IMPROVE-
MENTS IN PROCESSES OF CONSTRUCTION AND THE CONSTRUCTION OF ELECTRIC
WIRES AND CABLES Communicated to me from abroad by Richard. S. Waring,
of Pittsburg in the County of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania in the United
States of America.
"
My invention relates generally to that class of electric underground and
submarine cables in which the conducting wires are armored with lead or other
ductile metal, said conducting wires being ether embedded singly and separately
in a common body of the metal or arranged in groups surrounded by a metallic
wall, or a portion of the wires being embedded in the wall of either a plain or
corrugated pipe like shell while another portion is arranged through the inner
passage way of said shell or pipe. The objects of my invention are to produce &
strong and durable cable in various modifications of the general class referred to-
to secure the maximum amount of protection for the conducting wires with a
minimum quantity of encasing metal, thus giving the cable a desirable durability
flexibility lightness and economical construction in proportion to its capacity,—to
facilitate the connection of branch conducting wires with one or more conducting
Paine 71

page_text: wires of a cable-to provide for the expeditious and efficient joining or splicing of
different lengths of cable-to obviate induction of the wires of a cable upon each
other to protect submarine cables from the effects of tides and currents and to
provide an improved conducting wire for cables. In Figure 1 of my drawings
which illustrates one forin of cable constructed according to my invention, I show
a perspective view of a portion of a lead or other flexible metal pipe having
insulated conducting wires embedded in its walls. Figure 2 is a cross section of
Figure 1. The pipe like casing is indicated by the letter P, the conducting wires
by a and their insulated coverings by c.
The method of making such a pipe cable is such as is ordinarily practiced in the
manufacture of lead pipe, namely by pressing the metal in a plastic state through a
hollow die and around a core or mandrel with the addition however of a series of
hollow wire guides through which pass the insulated wires in such position that
they shall be properly spaced and regularly fed along into and out of the die with the
exuding metal which forms the wall or body of the pipe and so that such insulated
wires will in the complete cable be entirely and snugly separately surrounded by
or encased in the metal forming the said wall or body of the pipe
Such pipe like cable thus constructed may be produced in long lengths or
sections and reeled or otherwise put up for transportation in the manner common in
the handling of lead pipe. The exterior surface of the pipe may be plain or have
corrugations over or depressions between the wires and the pipe may also be given
any desired cross section such as circular, oval, or rectangular. The wires are
thoroughly insulated from each other and also from all intermediate ground
connection and the surrounding lead operates as a conductor to carry off leakage
and to prevent the deleterious influences of induction. While I prefer lead as the
encasing material from which to form the wall or body of the pipe it is within my
invention to substitute therefor guttapercha or other like flexible or pliable
material such as is capable, while being made into pipe form by known methods of
operation of having embedded in the walls a series of electric conducting wires,
and such as are also pliable or flexible, so as to be reeled, and sufficiently firm in
texture to hold the wires in place as against tendency to disruption in ordinary
handling and use. And in fact a pipe like casing made of non-metallic material
may be enclosed in a metallic pipe like coating or sheathing by pressing the metal
around it in a die or by being drawn into a finished metal pipe The tubular or
pipe-like cable made as now described is designed chiefly for underground use but
inay be suspended in the air or used as a submarine cable when desired. Before
joining up or splicing the several lengths or sections into which the cable may be
made, a current of heated air may be passed through each section so as to drive off
all moisture which may be in the insulating material of the wires thereby securing
a more perfect conducting power with less danger from leakage, Also the interior
passage of the pipe, after a cable has been laid or erected may be used for the usual
purposes to which a pipe is applicable, such as conveying water, air, or steam and
it may also if large enough, be used as a pneumatic tube. Such a cable has the
advantage of permitting easy handling of the wires for turning curves and for
allowing lateral branch conducting wires to be connected to any one or more of the
main cable wires without interfering with the others as the pipe wall may, be
readily opened opposite any of the wires to afford access to the same for purposes
of connecting the branches. In Figure 3 representing in elevation a portion of a
cable is illustrated a method of connecting the sections or lengths of a cable and of
connecting lateral brauch wires with one or more of the main conductors of the
cable. Figure 4 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal
section showing the manner of splicing the wires of two cable sections and also the
initial part of the method of branching aud Figure 5 gives different views of the
flattened wires. In these figures 3 and 4, the armor or casing P' is provided with
a series of longitudinal ribs a longitudinally through which extend the wires or
conductors surrounded with insulating material b
The grooves between the ribs may be any desired shape or depth and the

page_text: armor or casing may be provided with a central longitudinal passage which may
be corrugated or plain for a group of insulated wires or conductors or a single
heavy wire or conductor sufficiently large to convey the strong currents necessary
for operating electric motors or the production of electric lights or for other like
purposes. In order to connect branch wires with the main conducting wires of the
cable the ribs a² are cut longitudinally and transversely as shown in Figures 3
and 4 forming the lips f which are bent outward exposing the wire or conductor
which is denuded of its insulating material as shown at e Figure 4. After being
thus exposed the wire is cut and the ends are bent outward as shown in Figure 3
and covered with lead after which the lips are bent back into place and soldered
leaving the ends of the wires projecting at right angles or other wise so as to be
readily spliced to branch wires. A small tube of lead or other suitable material may
be placed over the projecting branch connections and soldered to the main tube
To connect or splice together the wires of different cable sections the ends of the
said wires are denuded and flattened as shown in Figures 4 and 5 at g² They are
then matched by means of the matching devices which will be hereinafter described
and soldered together. To further secure the matched ends they may be bound
with fine copper or other wire or with fibrous material, and in the latter case a
strip of lead may be placed upon the wrapper so as to connect with the body of the
casing to carry off the induced currents which may be generated at the splice.
After the splice has been thus far made the two sections of the casing or armor
are connected by means of a thin sheet of lead h which is preferably corrugated to
correspond with the corrugations of the casing sections the said sheet being bent
into the form of a sleeve having its edges lap jointed and soldered. An opening 1ª
having a flap 13 is formed in the side of the sleeve h' and after the casing sections
have been connected the space inside of the sleeve should be filled with insulating
material which embeds the connected ends of the wires. For this purpose molten
bitumen or a compound of materials may be used such as is common for coating
underground electric conductors. After filling, the flap may be closed and soldered
and the union of the two sections will be complete. The corrugated or ribbed
casing or armor may be formed by a pipe press the same as that of the form of
cable first described, and sections of the first described form of cable may be spliced
and the wires branched by the same method as just described, the plain wall being
cut to afford access to the wires. In Figures 6 and 7 I illustrate a modification of
the method of branching the conducting wires of the main cable This modification
consists in forming branches for the enclosed wires by cutting the tubes
longitudinally through the metal enclosing the wires, between said wires and
along the grooves so as to form a series of independent metal covered branches
which may be formed outward laterally for affording connections for branch line
wires. Figure 6 represents a side elevation of a portion of a cable with all its
insulated wires and the lead casing or armoring divided and branched and Figure 7 is
a cross section of the cable showing the divided casing or armor ready to be branched
or bent outward. The casing or armor is formed of lead or other ductile material by
the means heretofore referred to and is provided with a series of longitudinal ribs a³
through which extend the wires or conductors surrounded with insulating
material 6 The grooves between the ribs may be of any desired depth or shape
and the armor may be provided with a central longitudinal passage, the wall of
which may be corrugated or plain, for a group of insulated wires or a single
heavy wire for the purposes heretofore indicated Now in order to form connections
for branches at the end of a cable or any section thereof, the casing or armor is
cut down longitudinally as indicated by the letter following the grooves so as to
divide the cable into a series of independent metal covered or armored insulated
conductors which may be spread outward as indicated and to which independent
branch lines may be connected as desired. In Figures 8 and 9 I illustrate a
modification of my invention in which I prevent the influence of induction
between the wires by grouping together a number of insulated wires and braiding
or weaving them in such manner as to form a cable of multiple wires independently

page_text: insulated within a casing or tube of lead or other ductile material in such manner
that the wires constantly change places, that is to say they occupy positions from
the centre to the outside of the cable of braided strands, whereby parallelism is
avoided and the consequent induction influences are obviated. Figure 8 represents
a portion of the modified cable partly in section and partly in elevation and
Figure 9 gives a series of cross sections showing the wires in their several positions
respectively. In this modification the wires are first covered with fibrous material
preferably with cotton thread, wound, braided or otherwise applied and then
saturated, covered or enveloped with insulating material.
A series of such
insulated wires are grouped around one or more others as a core, seven being shown
in the present instance as at c When thus placed the ends of the seven wires are
firmly secured together and held fast in a proper clamping device, the group ig
then twisted one or more times as shown and then the two insulated wires
numbered 1 and 7 are twisted sharply on each other, half around so as to reverse their
relative positions bringing number 1 one space to the right as shown at d. Another
twist or more is now given to the entire cable and a second sharp turn as before
is made with the wires numbered 5 and 6 bringing wire 6 to the surface and
wire 5 to the centre as at c which causes the removal of wire number 7 one step
to the right Again the cable is twisted and then wires 5 and 4 turned on each
other bringing wire 5 to the surface and wire 4 to the centre and wire 7 to the
third place in order as shown at f The construction is thus continued throughout
until the cable is completed to any desired length. In practice it is designed that
the twisting and braiding of these wires is to be effected by automatic mechanism
and the conducting portion of a cable thus formed is to be covered or encased with
lead or other ductile material, as shown at d by means of the mechanism heretofore
referred to namely a properly modified lead pipe press. In Figures 10, 11 and 12,
I have illustrated another modification of my cable and a method of branching the
same, this form of the cable having as its object to secure in a still further degree
than is done in the modification heretofore described, surety of perfect insulation,
non-liability to injure in handling and transportation or laying for use, pliability and
facility of being bent or curved in any and every direction alike without any
possible risk of disarranging or otherwise adversely affecting the wires, facility in
joining the ends of the wires of different sections of the cable and particularly to
secure accessibility to any and all the wires for union with branch wires while all
the wires with their metal or other casings or armor may be cut asunder into so
many distinct cables or branches without in any way disadvantageously affecting
their efficiency. My cables is formed by covering the insulated wires with lead
or other casing or armoring by means of a proper apparatus having a shaping die
so formed that it shall present two or more distinct encircling lines or diameters
as shown in the dotted lines or broken lines. The casing is tubular and has radial
ribs. The bottoms of the grooves or valleys between the ribs are externally below
the proper axes of their curves causing the height of the rib to be about equal to
its width or thickness This shape not only gives great facility in dividing the
ribs in cutting across the plane of their bases, but in the bending and twisting to
which the cable is necessarily subjected gives a capability of extreme torsal
deflection without in any way interfering with the efficiency of the wires as
conductors. The larger circle as shown in the sectional view Figure 10 being
broken in its exterior by a series of rounded or other suitable shaped corrugations,
ribs a³ are formed which are united upon and project from a continuous central
base 65 tubular or otherwise each rib carrying one or more insulated wires c³ so
that the exterior circle will represent the maximum and the inner circle the
minimum diameter of the cable forming the diameter proper, and representing
the working flexibility of the cable in its practical handling This form of my
cable for underground use may be laid about two feet from the surface and requires
no other preparation than a narrow trench with a comparatively even bottom, its
extreme flexibility, enabling it to readily follow any sinuosities of either surface or
direction which gives it absolute surety against injury from changing of level by

page_text: frost and thawing of the ground. In practice when it is desired to connect or
splice two different sections of cables the wires are readily denuded for the purpose
by cutting through the ribs longitudinally for an inch or more and turning back
the lips as shown in Figure 12 The wire with its insulation is then turned
outward radially, the insulation removed with a sharp knife or scraper, the surplus
lead cut away to leave the wires projecting beyond the end of the casing and then
the wires projecting from two cable sections so prepared may be joined or spliced
in any convenient manner. Or the walls between the ribs may be cut through see
figure 11 for any length desired thus dividing the cable into so many distinct lead
covered wires ready to be united with other wires, Or by cutting through a rib
for an inch or more in any part of the cable and turning it back to uncover the
wire, the wires one or more may be readily denuded of insulation and turned out to
unite with a branch wire or wires Figures 13 and 14 are perspective views and
Figures 15, 16 and 17 cross sections of a cable having a central wire and possessing
the main characteristics of the form just described. In order to enable the ends of
two sections of cable to be properly matched in splicing so that the ends of proper
wires shall be joined together I place upon the ribs of the casing or pipe, designating
marks such for instance as the ridges y Figure 10 or by giving the various ribs
different shapes as shown in Figure 11. When the ridges y are used the ribs will
respectively have different numbers of said ridges as shown the ends of similarly
marked or shaped ribs, being joined in line in splicing the ends of two cable
sections. The electric conductors A6 in any suitable number having insulating
coverings a are in this form of my invention enclosed in and surrounded by a
covering or body of lead Be or other like flexible material substantially as
represented in the drawing
Preferably I use a central wire C and group the other wires around it in orderly
succession or in a series so that a central or inner body of lead remains between
and separates each two wires and the exterior wires of the series will also be
enclosed or covered and a minimum quantity of encasing metal used in effecting
the object in view
Referring to Figures 13 and 15 the casing is formed with ribs E which are
nearly circular in cross section and having their peripherys joined with the mass of
metal
This form of the ribs gives to the wires proper protection against injury without
using more than the amount of lead or other metal required for the purpose.
Another advantage secured by this form of the ribs and casing is the large extent
of exterior surface surrounding each of the wires whereby any leakage or escape
of electric force from any wire will find immediate ground and consequently will
not affect other wires in the cable. Also by reason of the lead covering and extent
of earth surrounding each electric wire the evils of induction are wholly or
practically obviated and the wires grouped into comparatively compact space It
will be seen in Figures 13 and 15 that the depressions between the ribs are quite
deep and widen inwardly so that narrow necks connect the ribs with the central
body of the casing, also the curve of each rib is such as to give practically a
uniform thickness of outside lead covering for each wire. The thickness of this
exterior covering may be varied as desired but preferably I make it comparatively
thin or less than half the distance between the wires A° as illustrated Such
exterior lead covering need not necessarily be of uniform thickness however, or
circular in form as it is only necessary to give proper protection as against external
injury and make provision against injury and induced currents. Such disposition
of the lead or other material employed in the body of the cable causes the desired
result with a minimum of weight and of material. But if preferred for purposes
of ornamentation or otherwise the depressions between the ribs may be made
more shallow as in Figures 14 and 16 or the casing may be made in star shape
as in Figure 17 or other exterior form may be given to them, the essential
point being the formation or disposition of the exterior surfaces of the cable
between the successive successive wires arranged around the centre whereby the

page_text: It
extent of surface is increased and the useful results referred to will be secured.
is obvious that the central wire may be omitted though I prefer to retain it, or
its equivalent, as it serves the purpose of a strengthening wire for the cable. Such
central wire may have an insulated covering like the wires A° (see figures 14
and 16) and in such case it may be used when practicable for an electric circuit
wire But I prefer to use a naked central wire C° (see Figures 13, 15 and 17) in
direct contact with the lead covering Be in which case it will in addition to
strengthening the cable, also serve as a conductor for such electrical force as may
leak or escape from any of the surrounding wires, proper connections C being
made for such central wire to ground. Such ground connections may be terminal,
or at intermediate points in the length of the cable depending upon the amount
and distribution of electrical force employed on different parts of the cable. They
may be made of wires having direct connection with wire C or when the cable is
suspended in air suitable ground connections may be had in many cases through
attached ground wires, connected with the lead covering B at proper intervals,
So far as I am aware it is new with me to group insulated wires around a naked
central wire and embed or cover the whole in a flexible metallic body as above
described. Such a cable may be made most conveniently by the ordinary operation
of pressing, the lead being pressed upon the wires so as to enclose them as described
and any suitable material may be employed for the body of the cable which is
capable of being worked that way. In figures 18 and 19; I illustrate in cross
section modifications of my cable in which two concentric series of conducting
wires are used. In Figure 18 the tubular casing B7 is provided with external
ribs 67 and an interior smooth walled passage way; longitudinally through the
ribs are arranged the conducting wires C of the outer series and between the
outer series of the wires and the interior passage way are arranged the conducting
wires c of the internal series. The wires of the internal series are arranged
opposite the bottoms of the grooves between the external wires so that by simply
cutting inwardly through the bottoms of these grooves access may be had to the
internal wires for the purpose of connecting branches therewith. The outer wires
may be branched by the methods heretofore described. In Figure 19 the
surrounding wall of the interior passage way is corrugated and may receive a
group of wires of any desired size, A form of my invention designed particularly
for submarine use is illustrated in Figures 20, 21 and 22, this form of cable being
especially adapted for use in localities exposed to tides and currents Where the
cable will be subjected to great tensile strain. In this form of my cable I embed
in the lead casing a series of steel or iron wires by preference larger than and
surrounding or lying outside of the conducting wires. In the drawing A³
represents a tubular or pipe like body of lead in the body of which near its inner
surface, are embedded and covered any desired number of insulated electric circuit
conductors as preferably of copper having the usual or any insulating covering. In
the same body of lead but nearer the outer surface are also embedded any desired
number of steel or iron wires w These wires w alternate with and are larger than
the conducting wires; extending outward radially beyond the circle of conducting
wires they prevent wearing away of the soft lead covering so as to expose, uncover
and injure the conducting wires A cable laid in water subject to motion from
tides or currents may be moved thereby and rubbing against rocks or sharp gravel
or stones, the lead covering will be worn away rapidly and the conducting wires
be injured unless protected Such protection is afforded by the wires w which
take wear of this kind as well as more violent abrasions from floating drift
or boats, to which the cables may be exposed in comparatively shallow water.
The wires w also increase the tensile strength of the cable and thereby adapt it
for laying in deep water where it may be subjected to longitudinal strain both in
the operation of laying and when laid on an uneven and rocky bed. The wires w
being covered by the lead, will be protected from corrosion and will also be bound
together so as to afford their united strength to sustain longitudinal strain and
also to resist the wearing away of the lead covering from the conducting wires.

page_text: The lead covering may be applied to the wires a³ and w simultaneously and
continuously by means of a lead press having a tubular core with suitable opening
for passing the wires through it in the desired relationship to and through the die
where the lead is applied. In this way the cable may be made of any desired
length without breaks or joints and if desired it may be laid as it is delivered from
the lead press the cable being formed complete at one operation. I prefer to make
the lead covering As of tubular form having a central longitudinal passage within
which may be enclosed one or more electric conductors. I show this passage filled
by a compound cable BB composed of a number of insulated conducting wires of
different sizes twisted together for the purpose of adding to their flexibility,
compactness and tensile strength. By using wires of different sizes, I also increase
the compactness and smoothness of surface of the whole mass Also by coating
some of these insulated wires separately with a lead covering, I secure practically
continuous metallic conductors running through the cable and forming by mutual
contact with the lead body A8 electrical connection for escape of leakage and static
charge from the interior wires. In preparing such cable the lead covered wires of
may be taken for the larger and those without lead covering c¹ be taken for the
smaller wires all being first covered with insulating material in the usual or any
suitable way The number of small wires c¹6 is chosen with reference to filling
as closely as possible the space between the larger ones giving them a com-
paratively smooth round surface to the whole when twisted and also a close or
compact interior. Such spaces as may be left should be filled air tight with some
compound or preservative to exclude air and moisture from the interior of the
cable. By twisting the inner compound conductor B³, I not only secure greater
compactness and strength but also a considerable degree of longitudinal elasticity
so that it may yield along with the lead covering A³ under the tensile strain and
thus permit such strain to fall upon the strengthening and protecting wires w. In
order to facilitate the including or grouping of a great number of electric
conducting wires in a cable, have constructed a modification of my invention
which is illustrated in Figures 23, 24 and 25, The figure 23 being an end
elevation of the cable, Figure 24 a view partly in perspective and partly in sections
taken on different planes and Figure 25 being a longitudinal section illustrating
the method of splicing and securing different sections or lengths of the cable
together. The interior cable is made of two distinct series of wires b⁹ and c
around a larger central insulated wire a³. is a tube composed of lead or other
proper ductile material said tube being of sufficient thickness to admit of longi-
tudinal channels being made in its walls for the purpose of embedding therein the
series of wires e, which wires are previously covered with insulating material as
shown Within the tube do is placed the larger central insulated wire a' and
immediately around the larger wire is placed the series of wires 6º and c³ the space
between the wires being filled with insulating material. The extreme surface of
the tube is grooved longitudinally all around as shown, to receive and be thus
surrounded with tension wires e extending from end to end of the tube, the outside
of which wires is covered with any proper fibrous pulped or pulverized material 19
combined with rosin, pitch, or any other good adhesive substance or compound and
especially with any of the residues resulting from petroleum distillation. After the
wires have all been thus arranged within the tube and on the outer surface thereof
and wrapped with the insulating material the whole is enveloped throughout
with a protection of wires m³ securely and closely wrapped around the same to
insure a tight and thorough protective covering In figure 25 at f° fº and g° 9°
is shown two ends of distinct cable lengths showing the manner of fastening
the wires and lengths of cable lengths together which operation is as follows
the central wire a and the series b and c are placed within the tube d³. their
ends projecting sufficiently long to enable them to be fastened to the next
length of wires which is done by filing the ends away and twisting them
together then soldering at p-Before the fastening is made, a tubular sleeve v
of copper is inserted around the outer edge of the central or core wires c³

page_text: and slipped down into the insulation surrounding the wires until the fastening
is made when it is pulled out again over the wires. This sleeve is intended
to extend one-half an inch more or less into the insulation of each length of cable
and to be soldered to its inner surface for the purpose of forming a continuous tube
and sheath around these insulated wires in the body of the tube and to form the
basis for covering the whole with a plumbers ordinary pipe-joint. This sleeve has
perforations in its sides to admit pouring therein of a melted insulation which
securely protects and insulates the joints of the wires When all this is done the
series of wires e are placed or drawn into the channels or passages extending
through the wall of the tube for their reception and embedded therein; then the
wires co are placed in the longitudinal grooves on the outer surfaces of the tube d
they being joined by beveling them off at a suitable distance from their ends as
shown at n n and uniting them by solder or other means as shown at A
strip of sheet lead or other metal of a width fitting the space from f³ to go and of
length sufficient to pass around the group of wires with a slight over-lap is then
bent around the connections leaving the lips or ends slightly open when any proper
melted insulating material (that will harden on cooling) is poured in filling the
entire cavity thus insulating the wires and when cool the whole is covered by a
wipe-joint of solder as shown in the drawing, the central part being only shown in
dotted lines for the purpose of more fully illustrating the process The piece of
metal connecting with the metal sheath of the cable will carry off any induced
currents generated at the joint and prevent induction. In the means described
above for making an electric cable we can have a continuous cable of any given
length sufficient to cross the Atlantic, every part equally strong and suited for the
purpose indicated Figures 26, 27, 28 and 29 are cross-sections of different modi-
fications of wires having longitudinal wings or ribs springing radially from a
common centre whereby the wire is extended in superficial area; figure 30 is a
perspective view of a portion of the wire ready for use and another portion without
the filling and covering, A10 indicates the wire or cable which consists of a main or
central portion a¹ of any desirable or suitable form and around which the
ribs, fins or projections 60 radiate thus forming cavities all for receiving and
holding fibrous material or an insulating compound. As first indicated, the
cavities all are filled with thread or strands of fibrous material 61 which are
closely packed therein and held in position by the external wrapper c¹º, The
external wrapper may consist of cotton thread, braided fabric or strips of woven
material, after the fibrous strands or threads have been dried and coated with any
suitable insulating compound as lead, or other suitable flexible material may be
used for the external covering or wrapper. The wires when covered with the
fibrous material are freed from all moisture by the application of heat or otherwise
and then coated with an insulating compound of any suitable kind. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that wires of this construction possess superior
qualities for electrical purposes over the ordinary round wire. By increasing the
superficial area of the wire it allows of increasing the strength of the currents, a
decided advantage in the transmission of electricity and furthermore the ribs or
wings form a basis or holding body for the covering and insulating material which
will increase the capacity of the wire or cable for strong electricity In drawing
the wires it will be found convenient to work from a wire circular in cross section,
and it should be drawn through a series of plates in the usual way with cavities
therein for forming the wings or longitudinal ribs on the wire, but for some forms
of wire it may be advantageous to form ribs thereon by rolling-Having now
fully described my invention I claim-1 An electric cable consisting of a tubular
or pipe-like body of lead or other ductile material having insulated electrical con-
ducting wires embedded in its walls substantially as set forth.-2nd An electrical
cable consisting of a tubular body or casing of lead or other ductile material having
separate annular series of conducting wires embedded in its wall, and about its centre
substantially as described.—3rd The improved method of forming branch connections at
any point in a lead armored cable or section thereof which consists in cutting through

page_text: the armor transversely and longitudinally a suitable distance, opening the divided
parts out, severing and denuding the insulated conductor of insulating material
and bending each of the ends outward and finally the cavity with insulating
material and closing the parts of the armor substantially as specified.-4th The method
herein described of connecting two or more sections of a lead armored cable which
consists in first flattening the ends of the wires to a tapering form then lapping
and soldering them then wrapping them with wire then insulating them and
enclosing them and enclosing the insulated joint of each wire with a wrapping of
thin lead, extending from one section of the lead armor to the other and then
placing an outer leaden sleeve over the ends of the two cable sections and soldering
the same and finally filling the space within the joint with insulating material
substantially as described-5th The method of forming branches in a cable having
a series of insulated conductors enclosed in an armor of ductile material, the same
consisting in cutting the metal longitudinally between the conductors and bending
the separate parts laterally forming a series of independent metal armored and
insulated conductors substantially as specified-6th The method herein described
of grouping and braiding the wires of an electric cable, the same consisting in
twisting the wires so that they will interchange places bringing each conductor in
contact with the metal sheathing preventing induction and also avoiding parallelism
and evil effects of parallel currents will be avoided.-7th An electric cable consisting
of a series of braided or woven interchanging strands of insulated wires and an
enclosing casing of lead or other ductile inaterial substantially as specificd-8th Tho
process herein described consisting first of grouping a series of insulated wires
firmly together, then twisting a portion of them at intervals, then twisting the
entire group one or more turns each one of the wires having interchange with its
fellow and then drawing the mass through a lead pipe press wherein the lead
forms around, and upon the wires forming a complete cable,-9th The process of
making an electric cable by uniting a group of insulated wires fixed together and
drawing them into a lead tube press and simultaneously discharging the same from
the press with the lead therein as a complete cable-10th An electric cable con-
sisting of a series of longitudinal ribs of lead or other proper material or compound
which ribs are constructed and formed upon and intact with a common base of the
same material said base being tubular, solid, or otherwise, the ribs being used to
carry insulated wires substantially as described-11th An electric cable of lead or
other proper pliable material composed and made up of a series of distinct and
intact ribs of lead that are radially deeper than their width, while constructed
upon and united to a common base or centre and carrying insulated electric wires
in the ribs as also if preferred in the central base as described.-12th An electric
cable in which a tubular body of lead or other ductile metal has separate series
of insulated conductors embedded longitudinally in its wall and about its centre
one series being within another series and having its wires arranged opposite the
spaces between the wires of the other series substantially as described and for the
purpose set forth.-13th An electric cable composed of a pipe like casing or armor
and two series of insulated wires embedded in the wall thereof, one series being
within the other substantially as shown and described.-14th An electric cablo
consisting of an armor or casing of lead or other ductile material having external
longitudinal ribs and a series of insulated wires extending through said ribs and
an insulated conductor extending longitudinally and centrally through the armor
substantially as specified 15th An electric cable composed of an armor or cising
or lead or other ductile material having external longitudinal ribs and a series of
concentrically grouped insulated wires extending through said armor substantially
as specified-16th A lead encased electric cable having insulated electric conducting
wires embedded in and covered by the lead and a series of hard metal protecting
wires also embedded in the lead outside of the conducting wires substantially as
specified.-17 An electric cable having a tubular lead body, a compound conductor
filling its central passage such conductor being composed of wires of different size,
a part being lead covered and all being twisted together as described insulated

page_text: conductors embedded in the body of lead and strengthening and protecting wires
embedded in the lead outside of the wires substantially as set forth.-18 An
electric cable having a tubular body of lead, a series of insulated conductors
embedded within the lead near the inner surface of the tubular body and a series
of hard metal wires alternating in arrangement with the conducting wires and
embedded within the lead near the outer surface of the tubular body substantially
as set forth.-19th An electric cable composed of two distinct series of wires placed
within a tube said tube having longitudinal grooves all around its external surface
for the reception of tension wires covered with insulating material the whole
being wrapped with wire substantially as and for the purpose specified.—20th In
an electric cable the tube d containing series of wires 6° and and having
embedded in its walls the series of wires e in combination with the perforated
copper sleeve, said sleeve and wires being surrounded with a strip of sheet lead
and a wipe-joint of solder substantially as described.-21 In an electric cable
□ perforated metal sleeve connecting tubes the space within and without the
sleeve being filled with insulating material the whole being surrounded by a strip
of sheet lead and soldered as described.-22nd As an improvement in electrical
conductors a wire formed with a series of longitudinal ribs or fins radiating from
a central core or body as set forth-23rd An electrical conductor consisting of a
wire formed with a series longitudinal ribs or fins radiating from a central core
or body the space between said ribs being filled with threads or strands of fibrous
material and an outer covering as set forth.-24th An electrical conductor con-
sisting of a wire or metallic body formed with a series of longitudinal ribs or fins
radiating from a central core or body, the spaces between said ribs being filled
with threads or strands of fibrous material saturated and coated with an insulating
material and an outer covering or casing as set forth.
hand
In witness whereof I the said Alfred Julius Boult have hereunto set my
and seal this 28th day of November in the year of our Lord, one thousand
Eight hundred and Eighty two.