Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 26th Jan., 1886.
Complete Left, 26th Oct., 1886.
Complete Accepted, 7th Jan. 1887.
and in Applications thereof.
I, JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, of 3 Vernon Chambers, Southampton Row, in the County
of Middlesex, Consulting Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of this invention
to be as follows:-
My invention relates to improvements in actuating mechanism for Electrostatic
generators and has for its object improved methods of working the same by means of
fluid pressure.
The working parts of electrostatic generators, such for example as Convection
Induction Machines, Influence Machines, Continuous Electrophori and the like are
generally of very light weight, so that in carrying my invention into effect I may
conveniently actuate them by pneumatic means. For this purpose I may attach either
directly or indirectly to the movable part or parts of the electrostatic generator, vanes,
sails, planes or other equivalent devices against which air or gas may impinge so as to
produce movement. To cause air or gas to impinge on such parts or devices I may
employ what I may term "projectors which may consist of any snitable form of air
transmitting device such as puff-balls, pushes, air pumps air-syringes or other similar
or equivalent apparatus such for example as that employed in connection with
pneumatic-bells, and other known applications of pneumatic engineering. Or the
movement may be brought about by wind pressure upon the said vanes, sails, planes
and the like.
I may employ pipes, tubes and reflecting surfaces for the purpose of conducting,
conveying or distributing the said fluid pressure.
When I employ air or gas I may dry it by chemical, physical or mechanical means.
I may completely or partially enclose the whole or only the electrical parts of the
apparatus to prevent or lessen the access of damp or moisture.
I may enclose with the electrical parts of the apparatus drying reagents or other
devices for keeping the electrical parts or the air surrounding them free from
moisture.
The motive fluid may in some cases be a liquid.

page_text: I may employ regulating, adjusting and controlling devices for the purposes of my
invention as well as intermediate transmitting, accelerating or converting devices.
I may apply my invention to apparatus for gaslighting such for example as those
specified in my patent No. 12139 of the year 1884 or others and I may use my
invention for advertising purposes in which case I may use the pressure of the wind or
of a chimney draught or that caused by a moving body or the like. In this case it
may be caused to ring a bell as in Franklin's Chimes or the like.
Instead of the air itself causing the moveable part of the electrostatic generator to
revolve it may expand a bellows or actuate other similar or equivalent device, such for
example as a piston in a cylinder, & such device may bring about the movement by
means of any known mechanical device or mechanism, as for example the arrangement
or mechanism in an ordinary pneumatic bell.

page_text: Improvements in Actuating Mechanism for Electrostatic Generators
and in Applications thereof..
I JAMES GRIEVE LORRAIN, of Norfolk House, Victoria Embankment, London,
formerly of 3 Vernon Chambers, Southampton Row, in the County of Middlesex,
Consulting Engineer, 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 :-
My invention relates to improvements in actuating mechanism for Electrostatic
generators, and has for its object improved methods of working the same by means of
fluid pressure, and in applications of such electrostatic generators actuated by such
fluid pressure as aforesaid.
The working parts of electrostatic generators, such for example as convection
induction machines, influence machines continuous electrophori, and the like, are
generally of very light weight, so that in carrying my invention into effect I may
conveniently actuate them by means of fluid pressure of comparatively small amount.
I shall first refer to the actuating of the said electrostatic generators by pneumatic
means, that is, by air or gas pressure. For this purpose I attach, either directly-or
indirectly, to the movable part or parts of the electrostatic generator impact devices.
such for example as vanes, sails, planes or other equivalent devices, against which the
air or gas may impinge so as to produce movement. To cause air or gas to impinge
on the impact devices I sometimes employ what I may, for the purposes of this
specification, term "projectors." These projectors consist of any suitable form of air
transmitting device, such for example as puff balls, pneumatic pushes, air pumps or
syringes, or other similar or equivalent apparatus, such for example as those employed
in connection with pneumatic bells and other known applications of pneumatic
engineering.
Instead of employing projectors I sometimes bring about the movement of the
movable part or parts of the electrostatic generators by means of wind pressure upon
impact devices, as aforesaid, and such impact devices may be either directly attached
to the electrostatic generators, or be in indirect connection with the same, by means
of intermediate transmitting devices or mechanism. The said wind pressure which
I employ is sometimes the natural wind pressure of an ordinary breeze; and some-
times it is what I may call artificial wind pressure, such as that caused by the passage
or travelling of the electrostatic generator through the air (as for example when
attached to a vehicle), or such as that caused by the draught of a furnace or lamp
chimney.
Instead of employing air pressure, I sometimes employ liquid pressure; and such
liquid pressure I transmit, distribute and utilise after the manner herein described with
respect to air pressure. Thus the impact devices consist of floats, planes or similar cr
equivalent devices attached either directly or indirectly to the movable part or parts of
the electrostatic generator, so that the liquid, by impinging upon the same, may
produce movement. To produce such impingement of the liquid upon the said impact
device. I sometimes employ projectors similar or equivalent to the pneumatic projectors
hereinbefore referred to but adapted to project a liquid instead of air.

page_text: In some cases I bring about the movement of the said movable part or parts of the
electrostatic generator by the simple pressure of ordinary running water under the
pressure caused by gravity, or in some cases under the pressure caused by the artificial
means frequently employed in town water supply.
Instead of employing an impact device to receive the direct impact of the fluid
whose pressure is utilised to cause the movement of the movable part or parts of the
electrostatic generator I sometimes employ what I may term, for the purposes of this
Specification, a pressure receiver." This pressure receiver is a device similar in form
to the projectors hereinbefore referred to; and its action is simply the reverse of that
of the projector. In the case of the projector pressure is externally applied for the
purpose of contracting or lessening the internal space capable of containing the fluid
so as to expel the whole or part of the same; whilst in the case of the pressure receiver
the fluid expelled from the projector is received in the said pressure receiver, so that,
as it requires more space to contain the fluid projected into it, it will expand and this
expansion is utilised for the purpose of causing the movement of the movable part or
parts of the electrostatic generator. A convenient form of pressure receiver consists
of a bellows, such as that employed in a well known form of pneumatic bell. Another
convenient form of pressure receiver consists of a cylinder with a piston moving
therein. A convenient form of device for transmitting motion from the pressure
receiver to the electrostatic generator consists of a rack and pinion, the said rack being
attached to the movable part of the pressure receiver, and the pinion being attached to
the movable part of the electrostatic generator. In some cases I find it convenient to
have the said rack of curved or are shaped form. In connection with this pressure
receiver I generally employ a reciprocating spring, or reciprocating weight, for the
purpose of returning the movable part of the said pressure receiver to its original
position after the impulse of the fluid pressure has ceased. The reciprocating spring
so employed is similar to that employed in the projector, but exerts its action in the
opposite direction, that is, instead of tending to expand the air space, as in the case of
the projector, it tends to contract it. A reciprocating weight I do not find convenient
to use in the case of the portable gas lighter hereinafter referred to, but I sometimes
employ it in connection with the advertising apparatus hereinafter mentioned, in which
case I cause the weight to press upon the movable part of the pressure receiver, caro
boing taken that the pressure of the weight will be vertically downwards.
It will be obvious that, instead of employing a separate projector and pressure
receiver connected together by a tube, this tube may in some cases be dispensed with,
and the projector and pressure receiver be combined or made continuous. This
practically amounts to the projector and the pressure receiver being placed side by side,
or end to end, and the parts of each which are in contact with one another removed so
as to form a single chainber. It is obvious that in this case a single reciprocating
spring or reciprocating weight, would suffice. The apparatus then resolves itself into
a single device one part of which acts as a projector, and the other as a pressure
receiver.
For the purpose of convoying or distributing fluid pressure, as hereinbefore referred
to, I employ pipes, tubes, reflecting surfaces or other suitable conveyors.
When I employ air or gas pressure I sometimes dry it by any convenient known
method, such for example as causing it to pass over or through a drying reagent or a
source of heat.
For the purpose of regulating, adjusting or controlling the action of my invention
I may employ any suitable known regulating adjusting or controlling device.
My invention may be advantageously applied to apparatus for igniting gas by
means of statical electricity, and particularly to portable gas igniting apparatus of the
type referred to in the Complete Specification accompanying my Letters Patent
No. 12,139 of the year 1884. In this application I prefer to arrange the electrostatic
generator as is the electrostatic generator in the apparatus referred to in the said
Complete Specification: but instead of employing mechanical actuating devices, as a
therein specified, I employ a pneumatic actuating device as herein before referred to,
and consisting of a projector capable of projecting a jet of air upon a suitable impact

page_text: device attached either directly, or indirectly, to the movable part or parts of the
electrostatic generator. A convenient form of such impact device consists of a number
of planes or vanes so disposed as to form a device resembling an ordinary rotary air
propeller or turbine, and capable of being rotated by the impact of the air from the
projector. Another convenient form of impact device consists of a number of cup
shaped vanes arranged in a circle, and affixed directly, or indirectly, to the movable
part of the electrostatic generator, and capable of producing rotation of the same under
the influence of a jet of air from the projector. A convenient form of projector for
this purpose is a form of bellows, or puff ball, actuated by a plunger or rod or lever
passing through the casing of the portable electric gas lighter. This plunger rod or
fever may be similar to those used in any of the known forms of portable electric gas
lighters; and I generally employ it in conjunction with a reciprocating spring,
preferably arranged inside the projector. From the projector a pipe or tube extends
to the impact device, for the purpose of directing the jet or stream of air thereon: but
sometimes I dispenso with this tube by having the impact device in close proximity to
the orifice from which the air is projected. I generally employ a valve, opening
inwards into the projector, for the admission of the air to be afterwards projected.
The action of this part of my invention will be readily understood by reference to any
of the well known forms of portable electrostatic gas lighters, my pneumatic actuating
mechanism being substituted for the mechanical actuating mechanism employed in such
known forms of portable electrostatic gas lighters.
My invention is also particularly applicable to apparatus for advertising, for which
purpose I sometimes employ an actuating device (consisting of projector and impact
device, or of projector and pressure receiver, as hereinbefore referred to), and an
electrostatic generator, for the purpose of obtaining statical electricity which is
utilised to actuate a statical electric bell, or sounder, such for example as that known
under the name of Franklin's Chimes. I sometimes employ as an actuating device for
this purpose such a form as is hereinbefore referred to with reference to portable
electric gas lighters. Or I sometimes dispense with a projector and take advantage
of wind pressure impinging upon an impact device as hereinbefore referred to, for
the purpose of obtaining rotation of the movable part or parts of the electrostatic
generators.
I prefer to enclose as completely as possible the parts constituting the electrostatic
generator for the purpose of preventing the access of moisture.
I frequently enclose a drying reagent with the electrostatic generator for the purpose
of keeping the parts of the said generator, or the air enclosed therewith, free from
moisture. In some cases, instead of having the drying reagent enclosed in the same
compartment with the electrostatic generator, I enclose it in a different compartment,
the two said compartments communicating with one another.
Of the forms of my invention, I prefer those depending upon air pressure. The
difficulty of obtaining and preserving tight joints in the cases where liquids are
employed, whether such liquids consist of water, alcohol, petroleum or the like, is so
great that the employment of liquid pressure is not to be compared for convenience
with that of air pressure.
The devices herein before specified will be readily understood without more minute
description, or reference to drawings.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :—
1. In a portable electric gas lighter the combination of pneumatic actuating
mechanism and an electrostatic generator substantially as described.
2. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for a portable electrostatic gas lighter the
combination of a projector and an impact device substantially as described.
3. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for a portable electrostatic gas lighter the
combination of a projector and a plunger rod or lever substantially as described.
4. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for a portable electrostatic gas lighter the
combination of a plunger rod or lever a reciprocating spring and a projector
substantially as described.

page_text: 5. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for a portable electrostatic gas lighter the
combination of a projector and a pressure receiver substantially as described.
6. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for a portable electrostatic gas lighter the
combination of a pressure receiver and a reciprocating spring substantially as set forth.
7. In an electrostatic advertising apparatus the combination of a pneumatic actuating
mechanism and an electrostatic generator substantially as described.
8. In an electrostatic advertising apparatus the combination of a pneumatic actuating
mechanism an electrostatic generator and a statical electric bell or sounder substantially
as described.
9. In an electrostatic advertising apparatus the combination of an electrostatic
generator and an impact device for the purpose of receiving the impact of wind pressure
substantially as described.
10. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus the
combination of a projector and an impact device substantially as described.
11. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus the
combination of a projector and a pressure receiver substantially as described.
12. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus the
combination of a projector and a plunger rod or lever substantially as described.
13. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus
the combination of a plunger rod and lever a reciprocating spring and a projector
substantially as described.
14. In pneumatic actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus the
combination of a pressure receiver and a reciprocating spring or reciprocating weight
substantially as described.
15. In an electrostatic advertising apparatus the combination of a liquid pressure
actuating mechanism and an electrostatic generator substantially as described.
16. In an electrostatic advertising apparatus the combination of a liquid pressure
actuating mechanism an electrostatic generator and a statical electric bell or sounder
substantially as described.
17. In an electrostatic advertising apparatus the combination of an electrostatic
generator and an impact device for the purpose of receiving the pressure of water
moving under the influence of gravity.
18. In liquid pressure actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus
the combination of a projector and an impact device substantially as described.
19. In liquid pressure actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus
the combination of a projector and a pressure receiver substantially as described.
20. In liquid pressure actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus
the combination of a projector and a plunger rod or lever substantially as described.
21. In liquid pressure actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus
the combination of a plunger rod or lever a reciprocating spring and a projector
substantially as described.
22. In liquid pressure actuating mechanism for an electrostatic advertising apparatus
the combination of a pressure receiver and a reciprocating spring or a reciprocating
weight substantially as described.