AN IMPROVED MODE OF PREPARING INSULATED WIRES
Year: 1883

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Henry Edward Newton of the Office for Patents,
"
66 Chancery Lane in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer for an
Invention of "AN IMPROVED MODE OF PREPARING INSULATED WIRES
.communicated to him from abroad by Alfred Abernethy Cowles of the City
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 24th July 1883.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON of the Office for Patents 66 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer "AN IMPROVED MODE OF PREPARING
INSULATED WIRES."-[communicated to him from abroad by Alfred Abernethy
Cowles of the City and State of New York, United States of America]
This invention relates to improvements on an invention for which Letters
Patent have been granted to the present applicant dated February 28th 1883
No 1093, and which relates to an electric conductor in which the covering of
braided or wound threads or strips of material are saturated and caused to adhere
together by paint applied to the surface of one layer, and upon which the second
layer of fibrous material is applied before the paint dries or sets, so that the paint
is pressed into the first layer by the second layer and oozes through the second
layer and thereby the braiding is rendered fire proof and the wire insulated.
In the handling of the wire the bends which sometimes are sudden may render
the covering slightly porous, and in breweries, cellars and other places subjected to
moisture, it sometimes happens that the moisture penetrates to the wire, and under
the electric action a decomposition and destructive action is set up.
Now the object of part of this invention is to lessen the risk of. possible injury
from the above cause, and such part of the invention consists in applying to the
surface of the wire a coating of water proof non-conducting material such as
asphalt, or india rubber mixed with asphalt and linseed oil to which the first
covering is applied directly so as to adhere and thereby moisture is entirely
excluded.

page_text: In practice the fire-proof insulating covering of the wire, made as before described,
is sometimes rough upon the surface in consequence of inequalities in the paint, and
the hands of the workmen are sometimes injured.
Another feature of this invention consists in subjecting the wire covering to a
compressing, consolidating or polishing action, by means of which any surplus paint
is removed and the covering consolidated and smoothed. This is usually effected
by a hollow revolving shaft or head with spring rubbers or pressers that act upon
the wire as drawn through such shaft or head, and this is to be done before the
paint has hardened too much, and while still in a partially soft condition. This
renders the wire uniform in size and smooth, and prevents the layers adhering
together when wound up.

page_text: SPECIFICATION in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent filed by
the said Henry Edward Newton in the Patent Office on the 24th January
1884.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents 66 Chancery Lane in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, "AN IMPROVED MODE OF PREPARING
INSULATED WIRES," A communication to me from abroad by Alfred Abernethy
Cowles, of the City and State of New York, United States of America,.
In the Specification of Letters Patent granted to me and bearing date February 28.
1883, No 1093, an electric conductor is described in which the covering of braided
or wound threads or strips of material are saturated and caused to adheretogether
by paint applied to the surface of one layer and, upon which the second layer of
fibrous material is applied before the paint dries or sets, so that the paint is pressed
into the first layer by the second layer and oozes through the second layer and
thereby the braiding is rendered fire proof and the wire insulated
The present invention relates to a modification of the said invention and an
improvement thereon for the purposes next stated.
In the handling of the wire, the bends which sometimes are sudden, may render
the covering sliglitly porous; and in breweries, cellars and other places subjected to
moisture it sometimes happens that the moisture penetrates to the wire and under
the electric action a decomposition and destructive action is set up.
One part of this invention is for the purpose of lessening the risk of possible
injury and consists in applying to the surface of the wire a coating of water proof
non conducting material such as asphalt or india rubber mixed with asphalt and
linseed oil to which the first covering is applied directly so as to adhere and thereby
moisture is entirely excluded.
In the drawing this part of the invention is illustrated in fig. 1.
The wire a. is covered by one or more windings of tape b. or a braiding of threads,
the tapes or threads being made to adhere to the wire by a water-proof substance
such as an india rubber paint or bituminous material such as asphaltum. The tapes.
or strips b. when used are to be saturated with the water-proof material.
When
braiding is employed it is preferable to braid the threads directly upon a layer of
water proof material while in soft condition, upon the wire. By this means the
first layer of fibrous material is caused to adhere to the wire and there are no
interstices between the same and the fibrous covering. The coverings of braid and
of paint are now to be applied as in aforesaid patent, to render the wire fire proof
and a water-proof coating may be applied outside all.
j
A coating of paint e. is shown as applied directly upon the surface of the water-
proof fibrous material.b. and upon this paint the braiding f. is applied, then a
-second coat of paint and an external layer of braid as at g, the braiding. being
applied to the paint before it hardens, the paint is thoroughly incorporated into and
'saturates the braiding for the purpose of preventing the paint scaling off and for
rendering the insulation fire-proof.
The coating of paint at e. may be dispensed with as the material with which the
first layer of fibrous material is saturated will usually be sufficient to fill the pores
and unite the first and second layers of fibrous materials
:
In some instances a single braided covering and paint may be applied upon the
inner water proof covering, but two braided coverings with paint on the exterior
covering or between both exterior and interior intermediate coverings, or both are
preferred.
In place of braiding, the threads may be wound upon the wire and the layers of
winding will usually be coiled in different directions, and each layer be composed
of three or more threads laid side by side, or else narrow strips or tapes of textile
fabric are wound upon the wire, or the braiding or winding may be used with the
strips.

page_text: In practice the fire-proof insulating covering of the wire made as before described
is sometimes rough upon the surface in consequence of inequalities in the paint, and
the hands of the workmen are sometimes injured.
Another feature of this invention consists in subjecting the wire covering to a
compressing, consolidating or. polishing action, by means of which any surplus-paint
is removed and the covering consolidated and smoothed.
This is usually effected by a hollow revolving shaft or head with spring rubbers
or pressers that act upon the wire as drawn through such shaft or head, and this is
to be done before the paint has hardened too much and while still in a partially
soft condition. This renders the wire uniform in size and smooth and prevents the
layers adhering together when wound up. After the covering has been applied in
either of the modes herein before described, the covered material is allowed to set
or partially dry in order that the threads may become impregnated with the paint
and oil. In this condition the paint is slightly or partially plastic, and capable of
being compressed and the surface of the paint is harder than the paint which is
inclosed between the braided threads. While in this condition the covered wire
is subjected to a compressing and rubbing action preferably from spring fingers
a a upon a tubular head b. shown in fig. 2. that is revolved rapidly by a wheel
c. and belt while the conductor is drawn along gradually through the revolving
head.
This operation compresses the exterior threads into the paint that intervenes
between the layers of braiding, it forces the partially plastic paint into any unfilled
interstices so that the covering is made more thoroughly fire and water-proof, the
painted covering is rendered uniform or nearly so in size and the surplus paint is
rubbed off so as to leave the surface smooth, but at the same time the fibrous
braiding is still left with a perfect covering of paint to exclude the direct action of
heat upon the fibrous material.
Having now described the nature of this Invention for "An improved mode of
preparing insulated wires," as communicated to me from abroad, and explained the
manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood that What is
claimed and to be secured by Letters Patent is :-
=
First. The fire and water-proof insulating covering for electric conductors, com-
posed of the inner covering of fibrous material saturated with bituminous or similar
water proof material which also unites the covering to the wire, and one or more
braided coverings and paint applied outside the inner covering to render the
insulating covering fire-proof, substantially as set forth.
Second. The combination in a fire and water-proof insulating covering for electric
conductors, of bituminous or similar material upon the wire, a fibrous covering
saturated therewith, and two or more braided coverings having paint intervening
between the coverings, substantially as set forth.
Third. The method herein specified of manufacturing insulated electric con-
ductors, consisting in applying two or more layers of braided covering with paint
between the layers, allowing the paint to partially dry, and then applying
pressure to the surface to consolidate the paint and the braiding, substantially as
.set forth.
In witness whereof I the said Henry Edward Newton have bereunto set my
hand and seal this twenty-third day of January in the year of our Lord one
thousand eight hundred and eighty four.
HE NEWTON (L.S.)