Improvements in and relating to the Distribution of Electrical Energy.
Year: 1890

page_text: Date of Application, 19th Sept., 1890-Accepted, 1st Nov., 1890
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Improvements in and relating to the Distribution of Electrical
Energy.
I, RANKIN KENNEDY, of 10 India Street, Kilmarnock, Ayrshire, Electrical
Engineer, do hereby declare the nature of my invention to be as follows :-
My invention has for its object the distribution of electrical energy at any pressure
in forms or currents suitable for translation or use in either continuous or alternating
current translating devices or converters of electrical energy.
This system of electrical distribution is designed and invented to comprehend the
advantages of both the known continuous current systems and alternating systems of
distribution and to supply electrical energy for universal purposes and appliances of
all kinds from a central station and from the same mains.
There are three circuits linked together for the purpose of this invention and two
unidirection pulsating currents are employed in opposite phase, one at a maximum
when the other is at a minimum, these are the essentials of my invention. One
pulsating current is supplied through one circuit, and the other pulsating current
through another circuit and these two circuits are coupled in series for the purpose of
supplying the two currents in series, the pulsating currents acting singly operate
alternating current translating devices, and the two currents operate these alternatingly
also if they have two primaries wound in reverse directions one for each pulsating
current; and the two pulsating currents acting together parallelly in separate coils
or in series in the same coils operate continuous current translating devices.
or
In my new system of distributing electrical energy two alternating currents
alternating at a difference of phase equal to a quarter of a complete period of
alternation are generated at a central station by one more dynamo electric
machines or generators. These currents are rectified into two unidirection pulsating
currents by rectifying commutators on the generators and these two currents are
then distributed by main conductors, preferably four, one pair for each pulsating
current. Devices requiring pulsating currents are connected to and supplied from
either pair of mains; devices requiring continuous unidirection excitement are double
wound and connected the one winding to one pair of mains the other winding to the
other pair of mains, so that the currents flow in the same direction in both windings
and the same devices are operated when singly wound by the two currents in series
between the two pair of mains. Devices requiring alternating excitement are likewise
double wound and also connected the one winding to one pair of mains and the other
winding to the other pair of mains, but the connections are made so that the current
in the one winding flows in the opposite direction to the current in the other winding.
By coupling one main of the one pair to one main of the other pair through a
conductor at the central station (which preferably forms a coil round the dynamo
magnet) I put the two pulsating currents in series, and can obtain them in series from
the other two sides of the mains and such pulsating currents are suitable for charging
storage batteries and operating motors or lamps.
And in order that my said invention and the manner of performing or carrying
the same into effect or practice may be properly understood, I have hereunto appended
an explanatory sheet of diagram drawings in which the same reference letters are
used to indicate corresponding parts in the different figures where shown.
Figure 1 represents a diagram view showing one application of my improved
system in which one dynamo electric generator is shown at a central station wound
with two circnits on its armature generating two separate alternating currents and
with two rectifying commutators, four parallel distributing mains, and translating
devicos energised therefrom.
Figure 2 is a view showing how two of such generators can be used to supply the

page_text: two separate alternating currents to the rectifying commutators, and their connection
with the distributing mains, so that these generators can operate co-phasedly
synchronous.
Figure 3 is a view showing how three distributing mains can be employed in my
new system, instead of four as in Figures 1 and 2.
Figures and 5 show graphically the power effects under my new distributing
system of the two pulsating unidirection currents on continuous and on alternating
current translating devices respectively placed in circuit with the distributing
mains.
Referring to Figure 1 of these drawings,-
D is the dynamo electric generator shown diagramatically. C' is the one rectifying
commutator rectifying the one current from circuit A on armature shown as one coil
only, and is a rectifying commutator rectifying the other current from circuit A²
the other coil on the armature. These two coils on the armature are at right angles
to each other, and being in a single field magnetism the current generated in the
one coil is at a maximum when that in the other coil at the same instant is at a
minimum and on these alternating two currents being rectified by the respective
commutators C1, C2, two pulsating unidirection currents are obtained the one being
at a maximum at the instant the other is at a minimum. From the two com-
mutators C³, C2, the two pulsating currents pass into the main distributing
conductors E', E2, E3, E4, by collecting brushes F1, F2, on commutator C", and by
brushes F3, F4, on commutator C². The positive (+) brush F₁ of commutator C₁,
is connected to the negative (-) brush F on commutator (2 either by a conductor
between them, or for the purpose of self regulation through a main thick wire exciting
coil on the field of dynamo 1) as shown at G, thus putting the circuits of the dynamo
in series with each other and with any connection made across the main con-
ductors E2 E³. KL are two shunt exciting coils exciting the field magnets
constantly, the excitement given by G is variable automatically as the load of
translating devices are switched on between E2 E³, the constant excitement may be
that commonly employed in alternators, namely, by a separate continuous current.
The translating devices, storage battery B and motor M and motor generator P are
connected between main wires E2 E3 and are energised by the two pulsating uni-
direction currents in these mains pulsating in series through the coils or circuits of
said devices and these two pulsating unidirection currents in series act very approxi-
mately as a single continuous current. In supplying these translating devices B, M, P,
the current from commutator C¹ passes through (+) brush F¹ and through main
exciting coil G on field magnet of dynamo through (-) brush F4, on commutator C2
through coil A2 on armature and through brush F3 into (+) main conductor E³ and
then through these translating devices B, M, P, and back through (-) main
conductor E to commutator C through brush F. It is obvious that by these
connections the translating devices B, M, P, are in parallel connection with each
other, and that the armature circuits are in series connection with each other and with
the external circuit through these continuous current translating devices. The two
pulsating currents being passed in series with each other through this circuit act as
is well known as a continuous current on these translating devices B, M, P, main-
taining steady magnetism therein. The motor generator P is shown as supplying a
continuous high or low pressure current from its secondary as shown at Z to
incandescent lamps placed in circuit with it. Translating devices as transformers
or motors connected between the mains E" E2 or E³ and E* receive one pulsating
unidirection current only; such a current is suitable for open magnetic circuit
induction transformers having their primary wire connected either between E¹
and E2 or E3 and E and produce alternating currents in their secondary circuits.
A transformer or converter T is shown between the mains E³, E, and an alternating
current of lower or higher pressure than that of the pulsating current can be obtained
from the secondary of a transformer or converter in whose primary the pulsating
current acts, and this alternating secondary current is applied to alternating current
translating devices in the usual way. T¹ is a transformer between the mains E¹ E²

page_text: to supply from its secondary wire an alternating current induced by the primary
pulsating current into an alternating current electro-motor T2 to energise the
same.
A double wound dynamo may be connected across one circuit for one of the
pulsating currents and the other circuit for the other pulsating current. At O
a double wound magnet is shown connected across E' E and E³ E* respectively,
in this way the currents each pass in parallel coils separately in this case, instead of
in series as with connections inade across mains E' E³ ouly, and steady magnetism
is thus obtained and the currents act as one continuous current in the magnet O. I
also connect alternating current induction converters or transformers for the purpose
of my invention across both the mains E' and E and E³ and E* circuits. In order
to operate alternating current transformers by this method they are wound as shown
at R with two primary coils r¹, and the secondary coil is wound as is usual. The
one pulsating unidirection current is passed through the one primary winding on the
transformer or converter and the other pulsating unidirection current is passed through
the other primary winding on the transformer or converter, so that the pulsating
unidirection currents in the one winding flow in the opposite direction to that in
which the pulsating unidirection currents in the other winding flow. Under these
opposing exciting primary pulsating unidirection currents the one pulsating at a
maximum in the one winding at the instant the other is at a minimum in the other
winding of the converter's primary circuit, their combined effect is exactly the same
as that of one alternating current, and hence I can operate ordinary converters for
alternating currents on this system by dividing their primary coils into two coils r, rl,
and passing the two pulsating unidirection currents one through each division but in
opposite directions. Figure 2 shows the mains E1, E2, E3, E, supplied by two
generators A in parallel instead of one as in Figure 1, the connections being exactly
the same.
And Figure 3 shows how three mains E', E, and E' E³ may be employed
in my new system of distribution instead of four; the intermediate main E2 E³, serves
as a common return for the other two E' E. In this arrangement the shunt coils K, L,
are used on the generator, but the coil G is dispensed with, and the connections
made from the brushes F2, F³, to the intermediate main E2 E³. The translating
devices ORT, act substantially the same as they do in Figure 1, but the single
wound devices or storage batteries B M P could not be operated by this arrangement.
Figure 4 is a diagram view illustrating graphically the action under my distributing
system of two pulsating uni-direction currents a, b, one at a maximum when the other
is at a minimum flowing in the same direction, one through one coil and one through.
another coil on a magnet or motor. Their intensity as one continuous current is
represented graphically by the rectangular area between the parallel lines v, w, and xy.
Pulsating currents pass in series through one circuit through a storage battery, the
pulsation being all in same direction act as a continuous current also, the rise of the
one compensating the fall of the other. Figure 5 is a diagram view illustrating
graphically the action under my system on a transformer of two pulsating currents
one at a maximum when the other is at a minimum as represented by the curves a
and b, the one flowing in one coil in the opposite direction to the other flowing in
another coil; both coils on one transformer produce the same inductive effect as an
alternating current as represented by the thick alternating resultant line cc c,
x, y, being the zero line in these figures.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said inven-
tion, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
First. A system of distributing electrical energy comprising the use of two
pulsating unidirection currents one being at its maximum at the instant the other is
at a minimum value supplied from rectifying commutators on an alternating current
generator or generators, main distributing wires, translating devices in parallel
onnection, one main distributing circuit supplying the two pulsating currents in
series with each other and through main distributing circuits supplying each pulsating

page_text: current separately to translating devices,,substantially as herein described in reference
to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Second. A system of distributing electrical energy comprising the use of two
pulsating unidirection currents one pulsating current energising one circuit of main
conductor and translating devices connected therewith and the other pulsating current
energising another circuit of main conductor and translating devices connected there-
with, these two main conductor circuits being coupled in series to supply the two
pulsating currents in series to continuous current translating devices, substantially as
herein described, in reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Third. A system of distributing electrical energy, comprising two circuits supplied
by two pulsating unidirection currents and forming a third circuit through a main
exciting coil on the generator of the two currents and also through translating devices,.
so that the pulsating currents pass in series through said translating devices and said
main exciting coil, substantially as herein described in reference to and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Fourth. A system of distributing electrical energy, comprising the use of an
alternating current generator or generators, rectifying commutators, and parallel
mains through which pass two pulsating currents, as herein described, to produce a
continuous current effect on single wound translating devices or storage batteries
placed in circuit, substantially as set forth, in reference to and shown in the
accompanying drawings.
Fifth. A system of distributing electrical energy, comprising the use of an
alternating current generator or generators, rectifying commutators and parallel
mains through which pass two pulsating currents as herein described, with double
wound translating devices the one current energising one circuit and the other
current energising the other circuit both in the same direction to produce a continuous
current effect, substantially as set forth, in reference to and shown in the accom-
panying drawings.
1
Sixth. A system of distributing electrical energy, comprising the use of an
alternating current generator or generators, rectifying commutators, and parallel
mains through which pass two pulsating currents, as herein described, with double
wound translating devices, the one pulsating current passing through the one winding
and the other current passing through the other winding in the opposite direction, to
produce an alternating current effect, substantially as set forth, in reference to and
shown in the accompanying drawings.
Seventh. In a system of distributing electrical energy, in which two pulsating
uni-direction currents are employed as herein described, the combination and use
of a conductor connecting the two distributing circuits in series and forming an
exciting coil on the field magnet of the generator energising the said circuits,
substantially as set forth, in reference to and shown in the accompanying drawings.
Deted the 17th September 1890
W. R. M. THOMSON & Co.,
96, Buchanan Street, Glasgow, Agents.