IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR LETTERS
Year: 1881

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to Honry Edward Newton of the Office for Patents,
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR
LETTERS PATENT to Honry Edward Newton.
of the Office for Patents
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND APPARATUS FOR
DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY, APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTION OF THE
ELECTRIC LIGHT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from
abroad by Monsieur A. Gravier, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
66, Chancery Lane, in the County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer, for an
Invention of "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE of AND APPARATUS FOR
DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY, APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTION OF THE
ELECTRIC LIGHT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." A communication from
abroad by Monsieur A. Gravier, of Paris, in the Republic of France.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION left by the said Henry Edward Newton at
the Office of the Commissioners of Patents on the 22nd June 1881.
HENRY EDWARD NEWTON, of the Office for Patents, 60, Chancery Lane, in the
County of Middlesex, Civil Engineer. "IMPROVEMENTS IN THE MODE OF AND
APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING ELECTRICITY, APPLICABLE TO THE PRODUCTION OF
THE ELECTRIC LIGHT, AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES." [A communication from
abroad by Monsieur A. Gravier, of Paris, in the Republic of France.]
This Invention consists, firstly, in a novel application of derived circuits
calculated according to the laws of Joule and of Ohm, and arranged so as
1st. To distribute the electricity from whatever source derived in determined
proportions throughout a system comprising a certain number of apparatus.
2nd. To preserve to each apparatus the intensity which is proper to it.
3rd. To assure the independance of these apparatus the one from the other, in
such a manner that when used, say, for example, for electric lighting, any number
of lights may be lighted or extinguished without disturbing the working of the
others.
4th. To ensure that the production of electricity shall be always in proportion
to the requirements of the case.
The Invention also consists in,-
1st. The use of a return wire and current, the object of which is to bring to the
generator from a conveniently chosen point indications, without which it would
not be possible to give a regulated production of electricity as required.
2nd. A regulator of production for regulating automatically the electro-motive
force of the generator.
3rd. A regulator of energy or of consumption.
4th. A commutator arranged so as to remove from the distribution any lamp
and its entire circuit.
5th. An equaliser of light, that is to say, an apparatus which permits of the
Juminous intensity of the light being regulated.
6th. A distributor ensuring a good division of electricity in the system, and the

page_text: employment for this special use either of the secondary element of M. Planté, or
more simply and economically, of a metallic mass connected to the generator by the
return wire which commands the regulator of production.
In carrying out this Invention as applied to the lighting of three electric lamps,
the electricity is derived from a dynamo electric machine which should produce
electricity as required.
To the positive and negative poles of this machine are attached wires which
are termed conductors, and these wires are connected at their opposite ends
to the commutator. One of these wires is connected with the equalisers of
light, from which the currents pass to the lamps. The other wire is connected
directly with the lamp. The conductors should normally form reservoirs of
electricity, but as the consumption augments or diminishes, the conductors pass
from the condition of reservoirs to that of channels of conveyance, and to cause
them to return to their norinal state the production of electricity should vary.
The indication of the variations of consumption is brought from different points
of the distribution by the return current, which should pass through a galvano-
meter. This arrangement however requires constant attention to change the
electro-motive force, and therefore in lieu of the galvanometer an automatic
apparatus which is termed the regulator of production is employed.
This apparatus consists of an electro magnet, the bobbin of which is traversed by
the return current. Above the magnet is mounted like a scale beam an armature,
to one end of which is applied a counterweight. The armature is provided with
contact pieces, the object of which is to close a local circuit on a rotating bobbin
situate below the magnet. This bobbin is caused to act in one direction by the
magnet, and in the other by the local current according as the armature rocks in
one direction or the other. This bobbin is in connection either with apparatus for
regulating the speed of the dynamo electric machine (if that be the generator) or
with resistances, by means of either of which the flow of electricity through the
conductors is caused to vary; thus the variation may take place either by reducing
the force generated while retaining a constant magnetic field, or by modifying the
magnetic field while maintaining a constant generating power.
The distributor consists of a prism or cylinder of ebonite or other insulating
material capable of turning on a centre. To one face or side of the prism or
cylinder a copper contact piece is attached, and this piece can bo brought into or
thrown out of contact by a suitably placed handle with springs which are in
electrical connection with the wires.
In this manner any current induced otherwise than by the generator in any of
the apparatus thrown out of contact will have no effect on the apparatus remaining
in contact.
The equaliser of light consists of a wire which is passed backwards and forwards
around rows of pins. This wire is in connection with the generator through a
commutator which is capable of turning on a pivot, and which is in communication
with one of the pins round which the wire is passed. The wire is also in
connection with the lamp. By moving the commutator therefore in one direction
or the other the resistance is increased or diminished, a longer or shorter length of
wire being thrown in or out of the circuit.
In order that the consumer shall have at his disposition a means for regulating
his consumption, an apparatus similar to that described above as the regulator of
production is employed, and this apparatus is called the regulator of energy and
consumption; but in this case no return wire is used.
The apparatus is completed by a distributor. This distributor may be one of
the secondary batteries of M. Planté, but that which is preferred as being more
simple and economical is a mass of metal of the greatest conductibility possible.
This distributor may be placed at one or several points in the system. The form
which it is preferred to give to the mass of metal is that of a hemisphere or other
foru, in which the surface is equidistant from a central point.

page_text: which signifies that in order to divide into three equal parts the product W or I E,
or it is necessary
Fa
K'
1st. That the circuit of the inductor be formed of three wires instead of one,
three wires of the same length as the single wire, but having a sectional area of
one third only.
2nd. That the circuit of emission, like the circuit of distribution, be composed of
three wires, each having three times more resistance than the single conductor
which they represent when all three are working at a time.
3rd. In the lamps that the carbons employed should have a section of one third
that of a single carbon which would burn with the whole current.
But all these conditions are not practicable, the resistance of the generator
cannot be changed, it is only possible in manufacturing the generator to make
it more or less resistant. The same is true in general of the channel of emission.
To render them as little hurtful as possible, their resistance must be reduced as
much as possible, which can always be done. Thus, as no change can be made
in R or R, the equation 8 becomes
W
T
DESCRIPTION.
In the accompanying Drawing is shewn as an example the arrangement of
apparatus of distribution for three lamps.
Fig. X is a diagram of the general arrangement.
A and B are the terminals of the generator or R = 0.10 ohms.
,a and b are the channels of emission, or R =
-
0.15 ohms,

page_text: C is the regulator of emission; D is the distributor; n, m, n, are the COSCIUS
or equalisers of the light; c, d, c, d, c, d, are the distributing wires fixed at one end
to the distributor D, and at the other end to the lamps.
Each of these sets of wires should have the same intensity or resistance, viz.,
3 Rd, or 3 x 1.42
= 4.26 ohms.
L, L, L, are Serrin or other lamps.
The resistance in each lamp, that is to say, the resistance of the arcs, is regulated
at 3 x 166 = 4.98 ohms.
Experiment has proved that in a lamp utilizing the whole of the current, a
carbon having a diameter of sixteen millimetres may be burnt; it therefore follows
that the three lamps in this arrangement should have carbons of a section of one
third the area, or about nine millimetres.
As the consumption increases the conductors pass from the reservoir state to that
of simple channels of flow. In this case the generator should not continue to
produce at the same rate, and it becomes necessary, on the contrary, to modify its
working.
The electro-motive force of emision ought to vary in order to maintain the
conductors constantly in the reservoir state.
The indication of the variation in the consumption is conveyed from the different
points in the distribution to the generator by a return current.
The return current in passing through a galvanometer will give the necessary
indication to the attendant so that he may vary the electro-motive force of the
generator.
This arrangement necessitates constant attention, which cannot always be
counted on, and therefore for the galvanometers is substituted an arrangement
of apparatus which is called the regulator of emission. This apparatus is shewn
in detail in Fig. 1 of the Drawing.
It is composed, 1st, of an electro magnet A, B, coiled with fine wire which is
traversed by the return current; 2nd, of a rocking armature a, B, mounted like a
scale beam on an iron knife edge prolongation of the pole A. A counterweight p
serves to keep the armature in equilibrium when a certain determined current
passes through the coils of the electro-magnet. The armature α, B, carries at
either end contact pieces c, c¹, arranged so as to act on similar pieces t, t¹, and open
or close a local circuit on the rotary armature b, z, on one side or the other; and,
3rd, of a rotary armature b, 2, (a Siemens' improved by Trouvé, for instance).
This armature, operated by the electro magnet A, B, or by the local current, turns
to the right or to the left, as the armature a, B, rocks to the right or left.
The axle of this armature is prolonged, and carries a worm that takes into a
worm wheel, which may be caused either to act upon the valves of the engine
driving the electro-motor so as to reduce the speed of the rotating armature when
a constant magnetic field is maintained, or to throw into the circuit a series of
resistances so as to modify the intensity of the magnetic field when it is preferred
to maintain the speed of the armature.
The distributor D, which cuts out of the distribution a lamp and its entire
circuit, is represented in front view at Fig. 3, and in section on the line 1, 2, at
Fig. 4.
The Drawing shews an arrangement for one lamp only.
It is composed of a polygonal or cylindrical block P of ebonite or other insulating
material mounted upon an axle o. This block carries two contact pieces c, a, c, b,
of copper of such a sufficient length that two sets of springs of nickeled iron a, a, b, b¹,
can rest thereon, but at sufficient distance apart that the extra current spark cannot
traverse the space.
The springs a and b are in electrical communication with the terminals A, B,
with which the conductors of emission are connected, and the springs a', b¹, are
fixed to the binding screws N, L, to which the terminals of the lamp circuit are
clamped.
In the position of the block P, indicated in the Drawing, the current can pass

page_text: to the lamp, but by moving the block by the handle m a quarter-turn, the lamp
and its circuit are thrown out of the distribution.
In this manner the extra current induced in the circuit is thrown out of the
distribution, and has no effect on the remaining lamps.
From the distributors the current passes by the distributing conductors, which
by their pre-arranged resistances place a lamp in a certain determined and inde-
pendent position in respect to intensity and permanence.
The first of these conditions is difficult to, realize in practice, the ordinary wire
of commerce being more or less homogeneous and irregular in diameter. Notwith-
standing the greatest care in calculating the size necessary for a given length
and resistance to obtain a steady intensity of light, it nearly always happens that
the circuit has to be either extended or shortened in order to arrive at the desired
equality.
To avoid these difficulties an apparatus which is termed an equaliser is intro-
duced into each circuit by which the amount of electricity may be controlled, and
the luminous intensity of each lamp adjusted.
This apparatus is shewn in Figures 5 and 6 of the Drawing, and is composed
essentially of a resistance box in which is arranged a tinned, nickeled, or silvered
iron wire.
This wire is secured at one end to the pin c, and is then passed round a pin d
at the opposite end of the box, then back to c¹, and so on backwards and forwards
round pins to the pins c", whence it passes to the binding screw L. This wire is
placed in connection with the electric generator by the commutator C, which is in
connection with the terminal A. The commutator C is mounted on a centre o
on which it turns, and makes contact with the metal studs c and c', c, c", etc.
From the above it will be seen that the current coming from the distributor by
the binding screw N passes to the binding screw A of the equaliser, thence by the
commutator C to one of the metal studs through a certain number of the resistance
wires of the equalizer, and makes its exit at the binding screw L, from which it
passes to the lamp. From the lamp it returns to the distributor by the binding
screw L (Fig. 3), and to the electric generator through the conductor of emission B.

page_text: 3rd. The group acting always as a channel of flow, the points farthest off
receive an excess of electricity in consequence of the diminution of the general
consumption.
In the first case, all being normal at the farthest point, the energy of the return
current is constant, the armature a, ẞ, of the regulator of emission (Fig. 1) remains
in equilibrium, and the generator produces and gives out a current of electricity of
equal tension, but in quantity which varies with the consumption.
In the second case the consumption increases and there comes a moment when
the conductors of emission are insufficient. The energy of the return current
drops the armature α, B, rocks under the influence of the weight 2, closes the local
circuit c¹, t¹, of the armature b, z, and causes it to turn in such a way as to act on
the engine and thereby increase the speed of rotation of the armature of the
generator, or reduce the resistance in the coils of the field magnets. The electro-
motive force rises as may be speedily seen in the action of the return current which
restores the equilibrium of the armature a, ß, until a fresh fall in the tension at
the farthest point.
In the third case the consumption diminishes in consequence of the extinction of
a lamp or the stoppage of other work, and the generator continuing to work under
the same tension as at first, the return current rises, the electro-magnetic action
preponderates in turn and causes the armature a, B, to rock and close the local
circuit c, t. By this means the armature b, z, will be turned in the reverse direc-
tion, thereby acting on the engine to diminish the speed of the generator armature,
or increase the amount of resistance in the coils of the field magnets. The
electro motive force falls, and the return current restores the equilibrium of the
armature a, 3. This continues until such time as the conductors of emission
become once more reservoirs.
The apparatus then resumes its normal action under a constant tension till such
time as all consumption ceases, which cessation will be shown by suitable indicators
placed one in the emission circuit going from the generator, and another in the
return circuit. If there is no leakage the indications will correspond so soon as
consumption ceases.
It will now be seen that when the circuit or the group of emissions does not act
as a reservoir it is necessary that the generator should modify its electro-motive
force in the direction indicated by the return current, in order that the requisite
energy may reach the remotest point.
But this correction demanded by the distant point causes a certain amount of
trouble in other points of the distribution, and it cannot be otherwise, for if the
electro-motive force be raised for the point which is the weakest, all the rest must
suffer the consequences.
To obviate this inconvenience each employer of electricity will have at his
disposition a means of regulating his consumption analogous to that employed
in the engine house for regulating the electro-motive force according to the
consumption.
For this purpose an apparatus similar to that represented in Fig. 1, and described
above as the "regulator of emission" will be employed. This apparatus is now
termed the "regulator of energy or consumption." There is however no return
current, the correcting current being taken in the house of the employer himself.
When the tension tends to rise, the electro magnetic energy of A, B, will dominate,
rock the armature a, ẞ, and close a local circuit which will cause the armature b, z,
to turn in such a direction as will serve to introduce a certain amount of resistance
into the circuit as may be necessary for the reestablishment of the equilibrium
of the armature a, ẞ, which amount of resistance corresponds to the rate of
consumption.
On the contrary, when the tension has a tendency to lower, the counterweight p
rocks the armature a, B, in the opposite direction, and causes the armature b, 2,
to turn in the reverse direction and withdraw from the distributing circuit a

page_text: .
ULIC
proper ave UI
consumption.
It will be seen that in this application of the laws above indicated, and by the
arrangements described, the conditions laid down at the commencement are fulfilled,
that is to say, we have
A source of power producing and emitting electricity in proportion to the
requirements of the case.
A conductor of emission operating under the automatic action of the regulator of
emission as a reservoir without resistance.
Distributing conductors and distributors distributing the electricity to the
receivers which they serve, and under the conditions for which they have been
established.
Receivers operating in perfect independence of each other.
In effect, under the most unfavorable condition, viz., that in which one lamp
only is lighted, this lamp instead of giving one third the light which would be
produced by the three lamps together, gives an intensity which is augmented some
five or six per cent.
It may therefore be said that the distribution thus made is practically perfect,
and it is these exterior independent arrangements of apparatus and lamps that is
specially claimed, the division of the light under the conditions herein described
not having been realized in any way by any one up to this time.
The Gramme Machine Company have always declared, and print in their circulars,
that with a continuous current the Gramme machine will maintain but a single
lamp at a time.
The Werderman Company employ derived circuits, but under very arbitrary
conditions. Each lamp is independent, but only on condition of employing a
second derivation of equal resistance to the lamp, the result of which is that the
dynamo-machine has to perform the same amount of work whether all the lamps
are lighted or only a single one.
M. Reynier employs different arrangements, but they are attended with the
same inconveniences, viz., that whether the lighting consist of one or of many
lamps, the dynamo-machine has to perform the same amount of work.
With an alternating current the Société Genéral puts a number of candles in
the same circuit in series, but these candles are absolutely dependent upon one
another, a single extinction putting out all other lights in the same circuit.
M. M. Siemens and Halske divide the light in the same way as the Société Genérale.
They avoid the dependence of one light upon the other by the use of a derivation
analogous to that of M. Reynier with the same defect. The dynamo-machine has
always to work as though all the lamps were alight whatever may be the number
actually in use.
M. Lontin also divides the light; he employs also a number of circuits, but the
lamps are always dependent one upon another.
None of these systems, which are, those best known, effect the division as it
should be understood and as it is herein defined.
Throughout this description the source of power has been considered as placed
in the centre of a net-work, and that it sends currents of electricity around in all
directions, for the various purposes for which electricity can be employed.
But there may be other requirements to satisfy. The price of land, the price of
coal, the public safety, and many other considerations may render it necessary
that the. source of power should be placed a considerable distance away from the
lamps or other use.
In order therefore to comply with the conditions necessary to a net-work of
distribution, and to create and maintain its reservoir functions under such circum-
stances the expense would evidently be greater, as the conducting wires would
have to be double the size, in order to be in the same condition as when the source
was in a central position. The difficulty may be however avoided by employing a
recipient of distribution.
j

page_text: This recipient of distribution may be a Planté secondary battery, or any other
suitable secondary battery. But a simpler and cheaper recipient of distribution or
distributor would be a metallic mass of as good conductability as possible. Which-
ever is employed it should be placed in one or in several points of the network,
according to the requirements of the case.
As the secondary batteries of M. Planté are well known, it is not necessary here
to describe them.
As to the metallic mass its best form would be that of a hemisphere, but any
other form which has one point equidistant from all exterior points may be
employed. The hemispherical form would require the smallest amount of metal,
and would therefore be the cheapest.
Fig. 7 shews one arrangement of the recipient of distribution.
Let it be supposed that a town is enclosed in a perimeter A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H,
1, J, K. The electric generator or source of power is placed at X; the metallic
mass or recipient of distribution V is placed in the centre of the distribution, and
is connected to the generator by the cable c. This cable of emission is altogether
independent of the distribution, and has only to supply the recipient V. A return
wire, shown in dots in the Drawing, goes from the mass V back to the generator.
From the mass V wires are led in all directions, which wires are of the dimensions
necessary to enable them to act as reservoirs.
The principal conductors a are united by cross wires b, which carry electricity
backwards and forwards in all directions.
The return current starts from V, and by means of the regulator of emission the
value of the tension of the recipient is fixed at t (the tension at which it is desired
to maintain the whole net work), a value which will have been previously
ascertained by experiment.
It will now be understood that the electric tension t will remain constant in the
mass V if the generator in a unit of time sends to it a volume of electricity precisely
equal to that which passes from it.
The mass V not only replaces the generator which would otherwise be placed
there, but it puts the point V, or sole point of departure of the distribution, in the
condition of an inexhaustible source without resistance, which receives from the
generator moinent by moment the amount of energy demanded by the consumption.
The principal roll belongs to the recipient of distribution or mass V; the generator
has only a passive part to play; it should execute punctually the orders sent to it
from the receiver through the return wire.
This equilibrium may be destroyed by the consumption itself, but so soon as this
disturbance of the equilibrium takes place by reason of the increased demands of a
single conductor leading from and supplied by the mass V, the communications
established between all the conductors will tend to establish equilibrium at the
extremities of the net work, and at the same time the regulator of emission
notified by the return current reestablishes the tension t by increasing that of the
emission in the proportion necessary to supply to V the volume required by the
consumption.
It is evident that in each conductor and at every point, even that where there is
movement, the delivery will take place under different tensions equal to t, t¹;
t representing the tension from the generator to the mass V, and t' the tension at
the point where the delivery takes place. This difference will however be very
small, it being admitted that the conductors act as reservoirs, besides which it has
no importance from the consumer's point of view, for all that is necessary to him
is a constant tension, or one varying but little.
In the case of a more important distribution where it would be difficult and
onerous to properly supply the extremities of a network or group, or to multiply
or bring closer together the recipients vin localities where the consumption is
great, they must then be be fed independently, as indicated hy the diagrams 8
and 9, either by a central mass V, or directly by the generator, as economy may
dictate.

page_text: In every case each recipient V put in communication with the others has its
return wire and regulator of emission either at the generator or at the central
recipient.
The intelligent employment of the mass V or recipient of distribution permits
of the employment of thick wires upon short lengths only, and of placing them
where. they may be most useful. In a word it ensures a good division of the
electricity in the net work with a minimum of cost, and it constitutes an important
resourse, as it puts the generator to some extent in the place of the consumption.
In some cases the employment of the recipient of distribution admits of the
return wire being dispensed with, but there is no economical advantage in such an
arrangement. It has already been stated that at the point V there should be a
constant tension, but in the current from the main source the generator should
have a tension T, which is sometimes greater and sometimes smaller, for which
reason the delivery from the generator is variable. It is by means of the return
wire and the regulator of emission that variations in the generator are obtained.
In order to dispense with the return wire without detriment to the service of
the network or group, it is necessary to maintain T, t, at their maximum value,
which would not be at all economical for the producers by reason of the losses
arising from defective insulation or other causes.
Although in the above Specification lighting has been considered as the object
of the distribution, it will be understood that this process is equally applicable to
any receivers utilizing electricity.
Having now described this Invention for " Improvements in the Mode and
Apparatus for Distributing Electricity Applicable to the Production of the
Electric Light and for other Purposes," as communicated to me from abroad, and
explained the manner of carrying the same into effect, I wish it to be understood
that under the above in part recited Letters Patent I claim the novel applica-
tion of derived circuits calculated according to the laws of Joule and Ohin, and
arranged,―
First. To distribute electricity from whatever source derived in certain definite
proportions throughout a system or group including any number of apparatus.
Second. To preserve to each of these apparatus the intensity suitable to it.
Third. To ensure the independence of these apparatus one from the other in
such manner as to admit of any number of lights (if electric lighting be the object
in view) being instantly extinguished or lighted without in any way disturbing
the regularity of the others.
Fourth. In order that the production and emission of electricity should always
be equal to the requirements of the lighting, all substantially as herein described.
I also claim, in carrying out this novel application of derived circuits,-
First. The employment of a return wire and current, the sole purpose of which
is to bring to the generator from conveniently chosen points, indications without
which it would be impossible to give as required a regulated production of
electricity, as described.
Second. A regulator of emission for regulating automatically the electromotive
force of the generator.
Third. A regulator of energy or consumption.
Fourth. A distributor or commutator arranged in such manner as to cut out
from the distribution any lamp with its entire circuit.
Fifth. An equalizer of the light, that is to say, an apparatus which permits of
the intensity of the light in any lamp being fixed at a given point.
Sixth. A receiver of distribution V, which ensures a good subdivision of
electricity in a system or group in the manner herein set forth, whether such
receiver be a secondary battery of Planté, or more simply and economically a mass

page_text: of metal connected to the generator by a return wire which controls the regulator
of emission, all substantially as herein shewn and described.
In witness whereof, I, the said Henry Edward Newton, have hereunto set
my hand and seal, the Twenty second day of December, in the year of our
Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighty one.
ANIMAxr
H. E. NEWTON.
TON. (L.S.)